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Jimmy came to Rushden after being demobbed from the RAF and married Margaret, a local girl. They lived at Fletcher Road, Rushden and Jimmy worked for A.T.Ginns & Son from 1950 to 1955, having learnt the trade at his home town in Ireland.
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Jimmy Guinee in 1954
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In 1955 they sold their house in Fletcher Road and moved into the blacksmith shop and cottage at No. 8 High Street South, Rushden having purchased it from the Ginns family.
Jimmy went on to purchase the other two cottages next to the blacksmith shop in 1966.
The family moved from No. 8 High Street South to Avenue Road, Rushden in 1966 but the Smithy continued to work from High Street South.
Jimmy built up the business over the years as well as training many apprentices, but with traffic becoming increasingly busier, the decision was made to move to a safer environment, especially with parking issues outside the blacksmith shop.
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The Officers mess that became the smithy at Yeldon
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and entrance
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So in 1971 Jimmy purchased the disused Chelveston US Airforce base from Mr Miley (Yeldon farmer). Once planning permission was approved in 1972, the Blacksmith shop was moved to Yeldon where the Officers mess was used for his workshop. There was a painting of the Brooklyn Harbour Bridge in the bar which is now on display at the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum in Harrington, Northampton.
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Painting of Brooklyn Harbour Bridge
now on display at the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum in Harrington
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In the same year the High Street South premises were sold and sadly demolished.
Extensive alterations were made to the old ‘hospital’ next to the Officers mess in Yeldon and the family moved into the ‘Smithy Bungalow’ in 1986.
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The old base hospital
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during renovations
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Rear view of the bungalow
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Jimmy was a well-known character of both Rushden and Yeldon and most of his family still live in the area.
Sadly, Jimmy died on 27th December, 1988 and is buried in Yeldon Churchyard.
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