Fond memories of Rushden's award-winning fishmonger

A fishmonger who was the third generation of his family to run a fresh fish shop will never be forgotten.

Jim Bugby died aged 92 on March 12, 2020, but due to coronavirus his funeral was a very small occasion with only a few close relatives and friends.

Friend Linda Randall contacted the Northants Telegraph because she felt the passing of 'such an important person in the history of the town of Rushden' should not go by without a tribute.

Jim was just 15 when he went into the business and was the third generation of his family to run the fresh fish shop until he and wife Margaret retired.

Speaking to the then Evening Telegraph when he retired in November 1988, Jim said: "It is the only shop we know of which has remained for so long in almost the same way as it opened.

"The only real difference is that it now has electricity instead of gas.

"All the original slabs remain."

The family business began back in 1879 when Jim's grandfather, also a Jim, opened a fishmongers shop in Church Street.

He later moved to another shop in High Street before moving to another premises in the same street.

He died in 1939 and Jim's father, Philip took over.

In the meantime Jim himself learned the family trade and opened another shop in Wellingborough in 1973, and a further two, in Bedford and Kettering, two years later.

But when his father died in 1981 he returned to his home town.

During his working life he won a host of trophies and awards for skills at fishmongery and preparing poultry and was All England champion.

When the Queen visited Bedford he supplied the salmon, and Jim also catered at an event organised by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

He also provided seafood for other members of the Royal family and novelist Barbara Cartland.

But his claim to national fame came during the business' centenary year when he decided to sell fish at Victorian prices to celebrate the occasion.

Queues were so deep outside his Bedford shop that he was eventually arrested by the police for causing an obstruction.

Jim liked motorcycling, once serving in the Royal Signals Motor cycle display team and was an active member of the Rushden and District Query Motor Club.

He held the offices of chairman, president and secretary of Rushden Swimming Club over the years and taught many to swim in his own pool at home.

He was an ex-Northamptonshire freestyle champion.

The original piece on Jim's retirement is available to read on the Rushden Research website, set up by Rushden and District History Society.

The website has a page dedicated to the Bugby family and they have kindly let us use the information and pictures from the site.

Rushden Research shares information with Rushden Museum, who allowed them to use items from a previous exhibition which included a display about Jim Bugby.

To learn more about Jim and the Bugby family, visit the Rushden Heritage website by clicking here