Rushden has lost a prominent church worker by the death of Mr Charles Alfred Sharpe, of 31 Queen-street.

Mr Sharpe , who passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, was 75 years of age, and was taken ill last Friday.

A native of Rushden (the son of the late Mr Daniel Sharpe, he was married to Miss Anne Packwood, the third daughter of Mr William Packwood, at the Parish Church in 1884, and celebrated his golden wedding in April 1934.

Mr Sharpe had been a sidesman at St Mary’s Church for 40 years, and was a collector for the Rushden Hospital Week Committee. As a young man he assisted his father in boot work. For many years he worked for Messrs Sanders and Sanders, and later he was employed at the C W S Factory, retiring six years ago.

A widow, son and daughter are left.

The funeral will take place at Rushden tomorrow (Saturday) morning.