Mr James Hyde, of The Shrubbery, Higham-road, Rushden, a former urban councillor for Rushden, and a well-known figure in the town, died rather suddenly on Sunday. He had a heart attack as he was preparing to go out for a motor drive.

Sixty-five years of age, he was a native of Ecton, though he spent most of his life in Rushden. He retired two years ago, after nearly 40 years in business at Rushden as a boot manufacturer, and his two sons, Mr Gerald W Hyde and Mr Philip J Hyde, are in business together as Messrs G and P Hyde, in Glassbrook-road.

Mr Hyde served on Rushden Urban Council for six years, from April 1913 until April 1919.

Mrs Hyde died five years ago. Besides the sons there are three daughters, Miss Louisa Hyde, Mrs R W Miller, of Nottingham, and Miss Florence Hyde.

The funeral took place on Tuesday. The Rev W R Taylor, Vicar of Chelveston, conducted a service for the family at the home at 8am. The cremation at Leicester was followed by a service at Chelveston churchyard, where the ashes were interred in the grave of Mrs Hyde, Mr Taylor again officiating.

Only the male mourners attended the interment, and included Mr Gerald Hyde, Mr Philip Hyde (sons), Mr W Hyde (brother, Mr R Miller (son-in-law), and Mr B Coe (friend).

Also present at Chelveston were Messrs W Barnes, F Riddle, W Wesley, C Pickering (employees of Messrs G and P Hyde), Messrs H W Colton, A Mee, H Childs, W Childs, F Riddle, Kettering, A J Green, W Henson, Leicester, C D Brown, J C Brown and E T Brown, Kettering, H Levin, Wolverhampton, H Brawn, L Brawn, H Ingle (boot-trade), B Reid, J S Taylor, E A Leaton, S Leeding, J Tomlin (Conservative Club), A C Sumpter, W Cook, W Chamberlain, T Rimmington, A T Cleaver (stationmaster, L.M.S.), T Ashwell.

Wreaths were received from Rushden Conservative Club, the office staff of Messrs G and P Hyde, the employees of Messrs G and P Hyde, among others.

Messrs Whittington and Tomlin, Rushden, carried out the funeral arrangements.