Page 22 - HeritageEbooklet

An ‘army’ of cyclists

“At about 5.30pm trolley buses started parking on Osmaston Road
from Nightingale Road to past the post office at Gresham Road. At
5.45pm workers would fill the pavement getting in each other’s way in
eagerness to look at destination plates. In a few short minutes buses
would be filled and on their way, and by 5.50pm everywhere was
deserted, except for a few cyclists and the odd pedestrian.
“The most amazing sight had to be the ‘army’ of cyclists that travelled
on Osmaston Road towards Allenton, made up of workers from the
Carriage and Wagon, and other local firms. Osmaston Road, starting
beyond Abingdon Street right down to Ford and Weston, was a sea
of cyclists riding four, five, and six abreast – all eager to get home.
More cyclists poured out of Nightingale Road, Gresham Road, and
Davenport Road, many travelling in the opposite direction towards
the town centre. It was certainly a sight to witness.”
Mick Whitehead – Osmaston resident
(From A Potted History of Osmaston, Vol 1 published by Osmaston History Group)

Below: Rolls-Royce employees leaving the factory at the end of a working day.

© Rolls-Royce plc
22