We record the recent passing of one of Rushden’s notable sons, Algernon John Robert Greaves (always known as Algy). Born on Christmas Eve 1910, Algy lived in Wellingborough Road between Gordon Street and Graveley Street.  He attended the Mission Church where he always played the Fool or Comic in the Mission Operatic shows.  In his early years he worked in the Co-op shoe factory and at one time had a haircutting shop in Station Road. During the war he joined the R.A.F. and upon demobilisation in 1946 he became a Verger at Westminster Abbey where he had been an Honorary Steward since 1944.  As one of a team of 12 vergers he was responsible for the day-to-day running of the Abbey and also the many great ceremonial occasions.  He was involved in the Coronation in 1953 and in the weddings of Princess Margaret, Princess Alexandra and Princess Anne.  Shortly after the Coronation he was promoted to Dean’s Verger and was the last holder of the ancient office of Butler to the Dean. In 1965 he helped to arrange the many services and events that marked the 900th anniversary of the Abbey’s dedication.  That year he travelled to the USA to present a piece of Abbey stone to Washington Cathedral. Believing that his successors should work without interference, on his retirement to Oxfordshire he vowed never again to set foot inside the Abbey. He was appointed MBE in 1966 and MVO in 1975.