Evening Telegraph, 24th September c1985

Back in the driving seat

Admiring the new car, from left to right: Mr Don Gibson, Mr Nice, Mrs Murdin, Mr Watts and Mr Robert Gibson.

A SELL-OUT picture book tracing the history of Higham Ferrers has brought in enough cash to buy a new vehicle for the town's old people's welfare committee.

The book — published by Rushden Rotary Club — raised more than £6,800, enough to buy a new Montego estate car, and provide a £1,000 kitty towards a replacement in a few years' time.

It was presented by club president David Nice, to the chairman of Higham Old People's Welfare Committee, Eddie Watts.

Also present was the committee secretary Gwen Murdin, one of the compilers of the book, Don Gibson and a director of the suppliers, Townsends Garage, Robert Gibson.

Mrs Murdin said: "It will be used for a whole host of journeys, including delivering meals-on-wheels. We provide transport for elderly people to hospital, the doctor, dentist and chiropodist and have even taken people to holiday resorts."

The vehicle fund was also boosted by £300 from the Duchy of Lancaster, and by £20 by Professor Donald Pack, a former Higham Ferrers man, who launched the book at an official ceremony in the town last vear.