The BV magazine, July ‘22 DORSET ISLAND DISCS
“The best guitarist that I have ever seen live” - Dorset Island Discs Philip Coward is chairman of Hillbrush, sits on the Royal Warrant Holders Association executive committee and has been a Mere councillor for 46 years I grew up in Mere, right across the road from our family’s brushmaking business which was started by my grandfather and great-uncle in 1922. I always had an interest in building things and in anything mechanical. My father was an engineer and I followed in his footsteps, gaining a degree in mechanical engineering from Brunel University in 1974. I married Pammy just after graduating and joined the family company a few months later – after failing to obtain a permit to work in the USA. I managed the production at Hillbrush (then the Hill Brush Company) for several years before taking over the management of the company. Five years ago we built a new factory on the western side of Mere, which enabled the company to address sustainability issues and be far more efficient. I handed over the running of the company to my son Charlie and nephew Andy, and I am now chairman. This year the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary which is a testimony to the amazing employees past and present. Over the years I have been involved in our industry manufacturer associations and I’m still a board member of the European Brush Manufacturers Federation, based in the Netherlands. Our company has held a Royal Warrant to HM the Queen for more than 40 years, and last year I became Honorary Treasurer of the Royal Warrant Holders Association. I sit on the Executive Committee, and I am a trustee of its charity fund. 40
I have always been interested in the town where our business is located, and I am now in my 46th year as a Mere town councillor, which may be a record! Since passing on the day-today running of the company, I naturally have more time to devote to my interests outside of brushmaking, including maintaining the farm where we live, boating in Poole Harbour and travelling. As well as Charlie, we have a daughter, Clare, who lives not far away, and four grandchildren, who we obviously love seeing regularly.
And so to Philip’s eight music choices, along with how and why they stuck in his life:
We Can Work It Out The Beatles I had to have a Beatles song! They were so influential during my schooldays and their songs
still stand the test of time. Who would have thought that Paul McCartney would have headlined at Glastonbury at the age of 80! All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix I am a great Hendrix fan – I think he was the best guitarist that I have ever seen live. I just wish that I could have played as well as him! A Whiter Shade of Pale Procul Harum This has to be one of the most amazing pop records ever produced and brings back so many memories of my later school days. 25 or 6 to 4 Chicago Just a great record, released when I was at university.
