A series of incidents has given some people in the Rushden area the idea that Birch Brothers Ltd, plan to close their Rushden depot and with it the London-Rushden bus service. This rumour is explained and denied in a letter to the editor from the deputy chairman of the company, Mr. John Birch.
Recently the company decided to “surrender” their bus route licences for certain Bedfordshire village services – including Harrold.
The letter explains that this decision, plus the fact that people have noticed the company’s house sign has disappeared from the front of the Rushden station and that the tenant of the adjoining Airflo Café is leaving, might have given rise to certain rumours.
“It seems to me that, from the coincidence of these three occurrences, they have concluded that the service between Rushden, Bedford, Hitchin and London is threatened. Nothing could be further from the truth and I would like to make the following points.
“(1) The old fashioned house name over our Rushden premises was taken down before it fell down and is being replaced by something better and more modern.
“(2) Our friend, Mrs. Rickard, of the Airflo Café, is retiring from business.
“(3) The viable services which we have provided for so long between Rushden and London will be relieved of the financial burden of carrying the ‘weak sisters’ of Bedfordshire.
“There is no question, therefore, of any ‘surrender’ so far as the Rushden-Bedford-London services are concerned. These are the backbone of our business, are in good health, and will continue to run,” the letter states.
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