Wolseley trio make historic return

Motoring history came full circle yesterday when vintage Wolseley cars arrived at a Yorkshire branch of the firm which gave the classic vehicle its name.

The drivers were welcomed by soldiers, left to right, Corporal Phil Sweeney, Warrant Officer Kenny Fuller and Staff Sergeant Tim Murfitt, civic leaders and VIPs when they stopped off at the Wolseley offices on Boroughbridge Road in Ripon on a run from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise 5,000 for the Help for Heroes charity

Ripon's largest employer gave its name to the Wolseley car back in 1895 when Herbert Austin, then employed as a works manager at the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Company, became interested in engines and automobiles.

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After a visit to a Paris exhibition Mr Austin, an employee of Frederick Wolseley, obtained permission from his bosses to design and build a 'Wolseley horseless carriage'. Mr Austin went on to found the Austin Motor Company.

Wolseley UK went on to become a leading distributor of building materials and products.

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