Mr Bob Wells, son of Mr and Mrs C Wells, of Woodnewton, was born in the village in 1920.  He has made a name for himself in the world of  engineering.

 He went from Woodnewton Church of England School to Laxton Grammar School and on to Oundle and at an early age decided on engineering as a career rather than his father’s saddlery and harness-making business.  In 1936 he came an apprentice in the Austin Motor  Company’s works and was quickly appointed prefect over the maintenance engineering apprentices.  He was also elected secretary of the apprentices’ football section.

 Having joined the Territorial Army Royal Artilery in 1937, he was called up in July 1939.

 He was transferred to the R.A.O.C., and later to the West African Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, seeing considerable service with the Royal West African Frontier Force in  Burma.

 Returning to Austin’s at Longbridge in 1946, he completed his apprenticeship the following year and entered the office of the works engineer.

 Married in 1949, he was soon afterwards appointed engineer for the East Works, then assistant works engineer, and finally superintendent engineer.

 His hobbies include photograpy, carpentry and gardening.