Reg Norman Rushden has lost its well-known exponent of "€œRushdenese"€ Mr. Reginald William Norman, of 17 Moor Road, who died at his home on Saturday night. At a funeral service held at Park Road Baptist Church on Wednesday the congregation heard “RWN” of “Air Ada” fame described as a fearlessly honest man, who liked to talk about books, people and life. As our tribute we reproduce the poem printed here, one of his better known works called “Peace Night.”

“Peace Night” Enchurd about air Peace Night Show? Twanarf a tidy do: Yuh, youghterseenair bon-fire bwoy- Coo, blimey, dinnit goo? We clectedlotser black-out screens- Shunt wannum now, we knowd- And arter dark we medda fire And burndum in the road. The winders all along the street Was just ablairzewi’ light, When some old special cummerlong: “Yuhkent do this tonight.” We toldim then, Yuhshutcher chops,” Andinnyarf look frit! “Les goo and fetcher stirrup pump Ancoolim down a bit. Summonumwhennangotsum pumps. That Flattiegivvalook: “Yuhennergoonersquirt on me”; Andinnyslingisook? An then some balmy perisher Oomustalostis wits Said “As we’re got the pumps lets ave A stirrup pumping blitz.” Three teams aside acrorst the street (Twa nearly bright as day) Cdardly see each other soon Acuzzerall the spray. It bein May nunonus ant Got courts, coo, want we wet? I kentear out this ear’ole where They plugged me with a jet. We laughed s’much, we atter stop- We ant got no more puff. My mussus said “Yent got no sense Yawla colds sure enough.” “Doornt whittle now, megal” I says. “Tentorun as I mailed: I’m binnuswettus this afore When that ole siren’s wailed.” Antardly spoke, when orf it goes; Coo, dinnitmekkus jump? We sortafrez and waited for A winder-rattling bump. But stead a moanin like afore We settled Jerry’s ash It bellered out the Vict’ry sign The three dotsan a dash. Soon arter then it blowed up cold Antwant no sense to stop. So back in thouse we went anad A dropasummutot. I ‘ad a cold, like my gal said (So’d scores more in air street). But I doornt mind: I woonter missed That smashing Peace Night “Feet.” ..........

Evening Telegraph, 1st Nov. 1999 : "Air Ada" was the brainchild of Evening Telegraph editor Ray Parkin, who commissioned the cartoon in 1956. It ran until 1962 when Reg Norman died.