THE DECCA LEGACY - Wootton Bridge Historical

CHAPTER 13
HOW, AND WHY, I DROVE A ROLLS ROYCE
(Bob Newcombe)
The Plessey Works were at the top of a hill in Cowes, the road to work was the Newport Road. I lived in
Cowes at the bottom of the hill, my trip to work, if the weather was fine, involved a cycle ride, a bit of a
hard ride up the hill.
At the time I was working for Bob. Mathews, a very enlightened and likeable engineer/scientist who
happened to own a 1927 Rolls Royce, in working order and a splendid sight to be seen on the ordinary
roads around Cowes. He would drive through the main gate of the site and would take the vehicle around
the back to avoid using the company car park at the front and walking round.
I had been taking driving lessons in a Ford Anglia, a relatively modest car, and I was confident enough to
drive it as a learner when I had the instructor at my side. On this occasion I was on my way to work on
my cycle when I was overtaken on the hill by Bob in his Roller. He stopped a few yards ahead of me and
suggested that I should put the bike in the pannier on the rear of the car. I got in and we proceeded up the
hill and stopped at the Plessey main entrance. At this point, Bob got out put his head through the window
and told me to drive the car to the back of the site and park it in his usual parking spot.
Before I had time to protest about my lack of driving experience, he had walked off out of earshot. I had
no choice but to steel myself and have a go. The car was so grand I couldn’t see the edge of the road
from my lofty position, so with great care I drove the monster, as he suggested and managed to park it in
the right spot. I didn’t have to worry about the gears as it didn’t seem to matter which one I put it in, it
went anyway. The experience was a lesson to me. Here was a man who would trust me not to damage his
prized car, and give me the chance to overcome my discomfort by putting me firmly in the driving seat.
This was also his way in the workplace; those who worked for him were trusted to carry out tasks to the
very best of their ability.
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