Before the showroom was built - just a tiny workshop where the cycles were made, close to the gas works.

c1900 Skinner's Hill - with the Lighstrung buildings in the distance Behind the large tree is Claridge's factory The building extreme right was a proposed swimming pool

The Lightstrung company was established in the 1890s by members of the Denton family. At first they made cycles which became known for their strength and were of of lighter construction than previous manufacturers had supplied. So the trade mark was "Lightstrung" was born out of the two words, but 'strung' instead of strong as that's how it was pronounced in Rusdenese.

Looking from Skinners Hill - John White's first factory to the right Before the showroom was added and petrol pumps installed	A postcard - part of the Lightstrung (left) and Church Street and Skinner's Hill (right) Petrol pumps were installed in front of the two early buildings, and showroom added

Their premises were where the old gas works stood, at the bottom of Church Street, close to the junction of Duck Street and Skinner's Hill. In the early 1900s as cars were coming to Rushden they began to trade in motors and repairs to both forms of transport were undertaken by the company. They applied to the Council for a licence to sell petroleum and were granted a provisional licence for 3 months in September 1901.

This receipt dated Aug 16th 1899, tells us that there were three other branches of the "Lightstrung" Cycle shops, at Bedford, Luton and Kettering. Albert Okins was the manager at Rushden, and William Okins was at the Bedford shop. They were both born at Bolnhurst, near Bedford. The supply was 5 old machines (cycles) for £3 and 12 chains for 16/-. Court case Lightstrung v Blackwell 1898

These invoices came from a bundle stored on a 'spike' (a traditional way to keep receipts). In 1917 they had branches at Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, Raunds & Irchester. The 1920 heading proudly states 'manufacturers of The Lightstrung Bicycle' and has crests for the Motor Trade Association Repairers & Agricultural, showing the diverse skills they had. The partners of the company were George Denton junior & Thomas H Denton, and now there were only three branches, Irchester being removed.
	In August 1916 an invoice to Mr Joseph Knight reads: "To getting Schneider Car to Garage & removing broken main bolt guide from top of Gear Box. Forging & machining out one rear brake guide with bottom plates to take bolts. Adapting top of gear box to take plate, machining, filing, drilling, & tapping same. Smoothing down brake inner & outer drums, making bolts to fit &c. To taking down all transmission parts to Car. Taking down gear box & machining out & cleaning out all gears dogs & parts from old grease & dust, & filling up gear box with best Graphite. To making new core steel ... to universal joint & fitting with lubricator. To taking down all parts in shaft from Clutch to Gear Box, taking out all turning bolts & shortening same at each end & smoothing of rough parts caused by them catching. Fitting new bolts when required & fixing properly all bolts in shaft with washers & split keys. To fitting 3 new bolts in shaft connecting end & thoroughly installing transmission system .... Greasing all parts through same." All for the grand sum of £3.18.6.