In today’s Memory Monday we take a look at resident, Roland “Roly” Powers and his rather unusual claims to fame both locally and nationally.
Roly was born in 1891, his family having a farm on Bockendon Road. He became Chairman of the Governors of Westwood School and was greatly respected as a pillar of the community.
He was well known in the village for driving down Westwood Heath Road with a Shetland Pony in the back of his car, looking out of the open rear window. The pony belonged to one of his grandchildren and it often travelled in the car with him.
He had a fondness for Rover cars, which he bought second-hand. But these weren’t just any old second-hand Rovers: they had had one careful and rather special lady owner - none other than H.M The Queen. He always bought his used Rover from the Royal Family.
Eventually, Roly motored into the Guinness Book of Records, when in 1990, at the age of 99 years and 9 months, he became the oldest motorist in Britain. (Doing much better than the husband of his car’s previous owner!) He had held his licence since 1923.
Roly died at his home in Westwood Heath in 1992, at the age of 101.
Did you know Roland Powers or are you a relative? If so, please get in touch with us at the History Group. We would love to know more about this fascinating gentleman.
westwoodheathhistorygroup@gmail.com
Thank you to Peter Hancock for sharing his memories of Roly.
Image: Roly Powers at the wheel (BBC).
Link to YouTube - 1991 BBC Midlands Today report on Roland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBTZgeLeqqI
Still photo taken from the YouTube video:
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