The window displays depict the 1950-1990s toys.

On May 3rd 2025 Osborne Sports & Toys celebrated their 70th anniversary of the shop opening in Rushden. Each section of window with a decade of toys drew lots of window shoppers to see the toys from their childhood. No doubt telling grandchildren about the toys they had played with all those years ago. The TV companies had also visited the shop during the week, before their anniversary opening when the shop front was adorned with lots of green and white balloons, with gifts of mugs and shopping bags to customers. Cake and coffee was also available. A very busy day for all concerned, and lots of nostalgic chat amongst the customers. Will and Libby had also been busy doing another large display for Rushden Museum for their current exhibition called “Toy Stories” where many more toys can be viewed on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm, until October. There is also information displayed about local toy factories, and inventors. William is also the current president of Rushden Museum, following in his father's footsteps in that role. Osborne’s first Saturday boy, Roger Brown also came to visit both the shop and the museum.

Libby and Will Osborne

Very few of our truly local shops now survive in Rushden, but one that everyone knows, and grew up with, is still going very strong.

Osborne’s was established back in 1955 and has since had four generations of the family working there.

To notch up this milestone event, it celebrated on Saturday May 3rd, 2025. With a window display showcasing vintage toys from each decade from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Blast from the past.	Thunderbirds, never out of fashion.

That amazing collection alone, took us back to our own particular era, my own was from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

No doubt this tweaked an emotion, as we have all been in there, to have our childhood wants and desires fulfilled, or partially completed.

Thunderbirds, never out of fashion.

Probably taken there by our fathers, and no doubt he had to put the brakes on, when we got carried away with the items on our wish list. My own late father would say "money does not grow on trees you know!"

Most of us went in over the decades to be greeted and served by Jim himself. He was keen as mustard on all things in the toy world, and could be seen at local toy fairs, showing a keen interest.

Timeless.	Shopping bag - Did you get one?

Will Osborne, current owner and son of founder Jim Osborne, said: "We thought we'd have a little celebration on Saturday to mark the occasion."

The town seemed to want to celebrate too, as he told me that it was a busy old day, and the shop was buzzing.

Staff.

The local BBC TV covered it, and I am sure that some viewers in the region may had their eyes opened a bit.

Sales assistant Kasey Cheetham, grand-daughter of Will's wife Libby Osborne,  said: "It's like a second home. We're here all week, and we treat customers like they're part of our family."

Let us hope the shop continues for even more years; who knows what the kids will be asking for in the future?

Sorry for not knowing anything about what the fairer sex used to buy. But I am sure the ladies have a far better memory, and knowledge than myself.

Thank you to the members of the family for providing some of the shots, for this article, and allowing shots to be taken in the shop, much appreciated.

But, a virtual train set can’t beat the touch of the real thing - pop in to Osborne’s and be spoilt for choice.