Mr. and Mrs. Bird have appeared in clothes glittering with hundreds of pearl buttons, at carnival parades throughout the county, and have won far more prizes than they could count.

They have been instantly recognised at Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Wellingborough, Kettering and Northampton parades, and as far as Rushden carnival is concerned friends have said that it would not be the same without the Birds. Only Corby and Desborough are unexplored territories.

Forms Direct

In many cases the organisers send entry forms direct to their pearly majesties at their home, 19 Roberts Street, Rushden.

Mrs. Bird was born into a travelling theatrical company, had an aunt who married a Rushden man, and she came under their care when her parents died. She married a Rushden man, and maybe it was her theatrical upbringing that made her dress up as a “pearly” and persuade her husband to do the same.

Seventy-five next March, Mrs. Bird is president of Rushden Co-operative Women’s Guild and a member of the Rushden Darby and Joan Club. Several years ago she was a member of the British Legion Women’s Section.

Her husband has held several offices in the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, and has been a member for forty years. He is a life member of the West End Club, and at one time served on the committee of Rushden Town FC.

At Coronation

A member of the British Legion for a long time, he was the county standard bearer for five years, and represented Northamptonshire Legion members on parade at the Coronation of King George VI. He has been associated with the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and during the First World War won a Military Medal for services as a stretcher bearer with the 5th Battalion the Northamptonshire Regiment in France and Belgium. He was a stretcher bearer with the Home Guard during the last war.

In addition to their five children, Mr. and Mrs. Bird have 24 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A family party will be held to celebrate the occasion at the TA Drill Hall on Monday.