Rolls makes emotional return

TODAY: The 1935 Rolls-Royce outside its original home, Fernside.

A 1935 Rolls-Royce made its way home to Wairarapa on Saturday.

The Rolls-Royce, which once belonged to well known socialite, Ella Elgar, of Fernside, near Featherston, was driven back to its original home by owner John Ferguson to celebrate 50 years of ownership.

The car was custom- made for Mrs Elgar in the mid 1930s and Mr Ferguson bought it in 1963, when he was just 20 years old.

Rosie Bevan, who now owns Fernside with her husband Colin, said she had been contacted by Mr Ferguson and the grandson of Mrs Elgar's chauffeur, Chris Harp, independently.

Mr Harp's grandparents both worked for the Elgars- his grandmother, Dorothy Walder, was a housemaid at the time his grandfather, Alf Peene, was the chauffeur, and they married in 1927.

Mr Ferguson wanted to drive the car back to its original home, from the South Island, to celebrate his ownership anniversary and Mr Harp wanted to find out who now owned the Rolls-Royce.

"I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to meet up at Fernside and make a day of it," Mrs Bevan said.

Mr Harp drove the Rolls-Royce down the 1.8km driveway and took Mr Ferguson and the Bevans out to lunch driving the Rolls.

"It's in immaculate condition, he [Mr Ferguson] has certainly looked after it over all the years," Mrs Bevan said.