RAUNDS - HAY TIME—Clover and grass cutting has commenced in this district and the haymakers have been busy in Stanwick meadows during the past week, and a quantity of hay has already been carted. If the weather holds fine haymaking will soon become general.

NEW SOCIETY OF CHURCH BELL-RINGERS—A union of Church Bell Ringers to be called ''The Raunds, Wellingborough, and district society of Church Bell Ringers" has just been formed having for its object the cultivation of the art of change-ringing and the promotion of belfry reform. The society consists of honorary and performing members and a code of rules has been drawn up for their guidance. The Ven. R. P. Lightfoot, M. A., Archdeacon of Oakham and vicar of Wellingborough, is the president, and the Rev. Hugh Bryan, vicar of Raunds is the secretary. The operations of this society are not in the least to interfere with the rules or funds of parochial societies, but to assist in promoting the further efficiency of each.

THE PROPOSED NEW COFFEE TAVERN—Another meeting of the promoters of this movement was held in the Temperance Hall, on Monday evening last. Mr. G. Lee again presided. He reported that he had communicated with the various owners of the several sites fixed upon as suitable places on which to erect a Coffee Tavern, and submitted offers of sale of two sites from Messrs. J. K. Nichols and H. Rooksby. Mr. Nichols offered a road of frontage ground in Brook-street including a cottage and garden for the sum of £250. Mr. Rooksby offered a piece of frontage ground in Lower High-street above the Wesleyan Chapel, for 3s. a yard. After some little discussion these offers were declined, and a site chosen just below the Wesleyan Chapel, belonging to the Raunds and Neighbourhood Freehold Benefit Building Society, whom we understand are willing to sell, and it was therefore decided if possible to secure it. Some other preliminary business relative to the formation of a company was then discussed and the meeting adjourned.

TAKES the present opportunity of tendering his sincere thanks to the inhabitants of Raunds and the surrounding villages for the liberal support received since he has been in business, and at the same time begs to inform the public that he has now in stock a very large assortment of Men's, Boys', Women's, and Girls' Strong Boots for Autumn trade at SPECIAL LOW PRICES, to which inspection is respectfully solicited.

BESPOKE ORDERS CAREFULLY EXECUTED WITH DISPATCH.

PLOUGH MONDAY—The old custom of going a plough witching, was again observed here on Monday. Mathew Kirk a veteran plough-witch of long standing who has gone the rounds for more than a generation back was again to the front, dressed like some Indian chief with hunchback and be-daubed in his war paints, in company with whom, as his squaw, was William Beeby, a "witch" of the past age dressed in grotesque female attire, and made beautiful for ever by paints not of Madam Rachel’s make.

CHANGE RINGING— On Monday last, the Raunds Church Bell-ringers rang in capital style, for practice, a date touch of 1,884 changes, in one hour and eleven minutes.

SCIENCE EXAMINATIONS—Science examinations in agriculture and geology were held at the National School on Friday and Monday, and at the Wesleyan School for Hygiene on Tuesday.

RADICAL ASSOCIATION—We understand that a Radical Association has been recently formed with its headquarters at the "George" Inn, having for its object the diffusion of advanced Liberal principles.

PLOUGH MONDAY—Numbers of agricultural labourers and others being out of employment in consequence of the severity of the weather and the day being fine bands of men and boys were early on their rounds on Monday last, attired in the orthodox garb of the "Plough witch," soliciting alms for the "poor ploughboy." One party assumed the ...... attire, and with tin whistle, concertina, and other instruments, accompanied with antics and grimaces, made much amusement, and secured a fair day's wage.

HARVEST PROSPECTS—The wheat crops in this district are generally very good, the warm dry weather that set in after Whitsuntide has suited the corn and brought it on wonderfully, the ear is plump and there is more than an average length of straw. The barley crop is also fairly good, but the late sown crops are somewhat light and ripening off rather too quickly for want of rain. Oats too are a fairly good crop, but like barley would have benefited by some copious showers of rain. The continued drought has ripened off the pea crop somewhat prematurely and the late pods on the top of the vines have not filled. Beans are generally a good crop on strong well tilled land, some of the late sown fall off and some of the crops are reported to have fly. Early potatoes are small and later kinds will soon suffer for want of rain. Root crops generally are being greatly affected by the drought. Fruit will not be so generally plentiful this year as last, the crop of apples, plums, damsons, currants, and gooseberries will be lighter and smaller throughout.

GUARDIANS—There is no contest for the election of Guardians in this parish this year, the old ones, Messrs. J. K. Nichols and W. Askham, alone being nominated.

RAUNDS CRICKET CLUB—The Rev. H. Bryan, in consequence of some misunderstanding between himself and the club, has this week resigned the residency.

STREET LIGHTING—The monthly meeting of the Inspectors was held at the Coffee Tavern on Monday. Present: Messrs E. Smith, J. Bass, G. Bass, S. Berry, J. H. Nichols, and W. Litchfield. The amount of the Inspectors' precept not having been paid in to the treasurer, it was resolved unanimously to summon the overseers and churchwardens before the magistrates if not paid in to the treasurer within a week.

Raunds—Typhoid Fever—We are sorry to have to report another outbreak of typhoid fever in this parish. There are already four or five cases in different parts of the village, and the utmost precautions should be taken by all to keep it from spreading.

The Proposed Rushden and Raunds Railway—Plans, sections, and books of reference of the above line of railway, have been deposited with Mr. James Gostick, the parish clerk, for public inspection, and owners and tenants of property have this week received the required notice from Messrs. Beale and Co., the agents for the Midland Railway Company.

Raunds - CHRISTMAS—Signs of the coming of Christmas are manifest in every part of the village. Most of the shops have been set out tastily for the occasion, and prettily adorned with evergreens. The butchers’ shops have some excellent displays of meat of all kinds, as well as poultry. Sugar, spices, and fruits of the choicest kind adorn the grocers' shop windows, and so arranged as to form Christmas greetings. The tailors and drapers have not been behindhand, their goods being shown to the best advantage.

NEW RATES—A rate at 8d. in the £ for poor, highway, and sanitary purposes has just been made for this parish. Also a lighting rate at 3d. in the £ on house property and 1d. in the £ on land.

BANK HOLIDAY—This holiday was generally observed on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday there was a good number of excursionists by the Midland and North-Western trains for Yarmouth and Hunstanton.

THE HARVEST—With the exception of a few late pieces, most of the corn is cut in this district, and the farmers are busily engaged in carrying it home this week.

WORKMEN'S OUTING—The employees of the Raunds Co-operative Army Boot and Shoe contractors and manufacturers with their wives, had their annual outing on Monday, going by the L. and N.W. Railway Company's trip to Brighton. A number of others also went by the same excursion. Starting at 4.45 a.m., the excursionists reached their destination at 9.15. After a pleasant day spent by the sea and in perambulations about this fashionable sea-side resort, a safe return was made by the excursionists at midnight.

Raunds - THE SEVERE WEATHER—In consequence of the prolonged frost, the agricultural labourers, and all those following outdoor employments, have experienced a considerable amount of privation, if not actual distress, since Christmas. The shoe trade is exceptionally good, and, fortunately for those following outdoor employments, their wives and families are able to do the army boot and shoe closing, and can earn enough to keep them from actual want, so that they are not so badly off as they otherwise would be. Still, many are feeling keenly the effects of this old-fashioned winter. Soup and other necessaries have been given to those found to be actually in need.

FOOTBALL—Raunds Hawks v. Raunds Wesleyans. A match was played between these teams on Saturday, on the ground of the latter, and after a good game ended in a win for the Hawks by four goals to two.

A NEW READING-ROOM—The Directors of the Raunds Coffee Tavern have decided to open a new reading-room under their own management at the Coffee Tavern.

PLOUGH MONDAY — The old time-honoured custom of going a "plough witching" was again observed here on Monday last. There was a little falling off in the number of "witches" but the old veteran plough witches, Pat Kirk and Will Beeby, who have donned the garb for over half a century, were again to the front asking us to "remember the poor plough boy."

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE —At the Sunday afternoon service at the Temperance Hall an address was given by the Rev. R. A. Selby, of Ringstead.

Rushden Echo, 2^nd May 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

26 years ago May 1898

Rushden Echo, 22^nd August 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

Twenty-five years ago – August 1899

Mr Archibald Coles, a former town crier of Raunds, died at the age of 61.

The Raunds Boot and Shoe Co. Ltd., was registered, with a capital of £2,000.

The Raunds Pigeon Club flew their fifth young bird race on Saturday, from Pontefract, a distance of 99 miles. Eight members sent 29 birds. Result: 1st and special, G. Groom, velocity, 1,059 yards per minute; 2nd, W. E. Atkins, 1,056; 3rd, W. E. Atkins, 1,056; 4th and pool, W. Groom, 1,040; 5th, T. Nichols; 6th and 7th, J. Beach; 8th and 9th, J. Allen; 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th, W. E. Atkins.

Mr. Lovell, of Raunds, and Mr. Hartopp Burns, of Higham Park, were among the purchasers at Mr. G. S. Fisher’s ram sale at Kettering on Friday.

Raunds – The Gas Co.’s Tender to supply gas to the street lamps at 5s. per 1000 was accepted by the Urban Council

Cromer was visited on Monday by the employees of Mr. J. Kingsmith, army contractor, who went by the M.R. company’s trip. The party, which with the wives and sweethearts of the employees, numbered about eighty, spent a very pleasant day by the sea. The weather was delightfully fine and the outing was a great success.

Messrs. Owen Smith & Co., boot and shoe manufacturers, allowed their employees a holiday for the annual outing on Monday. The party, with their wives, sweethearts, and friends, numbered from 40 to 50, and Yarmouth was the scene of the outing. An enjoyable day was spent in the grounds alongside the promenade. The various other attractions of this popular seaside resort were also visited, and the outing was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Rushden Echo, 11^th January 1901

Musical Successes—At the examinations of the Incorporated Society of Musicians at Northampton, Miss Olive Webb, of Denford, passed in the preparatory grade, and Walter Cyril Groom passed Grade 1. Both were pupils of Mr. Archer, the church organist.

Rushden Echo, 22^nd February 1901

An enjoyable time was spent by the Temperance Band on Saturday. A tea was followed by a social, and the large gathering thorough enjoyed themselves.

The annual distribution of prizes to Peter's Sunday school scholars took place on Sunday afternoon at the National Schools, the Vicar handing the prizes to the recipients.

Raunds—Eight births were registered in October and no deaths.

The Typhoid Epidemic is over, and there is now no infectious disease in the town. The houses of the fever patients have all been disinfected, and the beds destroyed have been replaced at a cost of about 21s. each.

Charles Reynolds, who manages the Raunds branch of the thread-sewing business of Mr. Northern, of Rushden, said he noticed on Friday night. January 17th, that the key of the workshop was missing, and consequently fastened the house ….

Northampton Mercury, 30th October 1903

Extraordinary reports come from Raunds and Rushden of great floods, streets and roads being rendered impassable and many downstairs rooms being swamped. In some of the factories at both places the engine rooms were flooded and work was stopped. At Raunds it is said that there has been no such inundation since August 1881. At Rushden people had their breakfasts handed to them through the upstairs windows. It is curious that at the time the lower part of Rushden was submerged people in High Street were complaining that there was no drinking water in the mains.

The factories have been re-opened this week, but short time is the rule. The unemployed are somewhat numerous.

Messrs Phillips and Co., Raunds, have secured part of a contract for the supply of boots to the Watch Committee of the Gravesend Town Council.

The Public Examination of Tanner Bros., builders, Raunds, was closed at Northampton Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday.

Raunds Football—Evans and Robins, of Raunds St Peter’s Football Club, are to play for Sheffield United.

The Christian Endeavour held a rally on Tuesday evening. A coffee supper was served, after which a good programme was gone through.

Four Deaths and 15 births were registered during January.

A Case of erysipelas at Raunds was reported during the last month.

Raunds - The Births at Raunds during the past quarter numbered 34 and the deaths 11.

The Fitzwilliam Hounds met in Raunds Square on Wednesday for the first time in the history of the pack, in accordance with a promise given by the master after a recent meeting at Raunds. A large crowd assembled and it was calculated that there were over 2,000 persons present. Most of the Raunds factories closed at 10 o’clock for the day. Before the company moved off to Raunds Old Meadow, light refreshments were provided, through the kindness of Messrs. Asberry, Johnson, Maddocks, and Rixon.

The farmers of Raunds have formed a Sparrow Club. Mr. A. E. Wingell is the secretary.

BUILDERS' OPERATIVES—At a meeting last night of Rushden Builders' Operatives' Union it was decided at the request of several Raunds operatives present, to try and form a branch of the Union at Raunds.

Bowls—Rushden Foremen beat Raunds Foremen at bowls on Monday by 64-44.

On Feast Monday a dance was held in the gardens of “Ashfields” in aid of the Coffee Tavern Football Club.

Rushden Echo, 12^th August 1921, transcribed by Kay Collins

Mr. George Nicholls, O.B.E., director of the Small Holdings and Allotments Section, Agricultural Organisation Society, is on the committee to investigate the present position as regards the provision by local authorities of allotments in Great Britain.

Rushden Echo 9^th September 1921, transcribed by Susan Manton

Raunds Jottings

Raunds Town F.C. have resigned from the Northants League and Rothwell will take over their fixtures.

On the unemployed register of the Boot Operatives Union at Raunds there are 168 names.

The Wesleyan Choral Society commenced the season with a good balance in hand. The oratorio “Elijah” is to be given on November 17^th.

The shade temperature at Raunds yesterday was 84 degrees.

The unemployed, to the number of 150, met the labour members of the Urban Council on Monday. It was decided to demand that a special session of Parliament be called to deal with the problem of unemployment. The meeting resolved to ask the Board of Guardians to send a relieving officer to Raunds at once so that forms could be filled up; to ask the Urban Council to start improvement works; and to request the School Managers to put the Feeding of Scholars Act in force.

The provision of a fire-engine for the town was advocated at the meeting of the Urban Council on Monday by Mr Batchelor. Mr Adams moved that the Council approve of steps being taken to secure a fire-engine for the protection of Raunds, not only from the standpoint of employers, but especially from the workers’ standpoint.—Mr Batchelor seconded, and it was carried.—The matter was referred to in the Waterworks Committee.

Five births and deaths were registered at Raunds during October. There were two interments at the cemetery.

A Fine Panel, 400 years old, has been bought for an “old song” from an ancient house at Raunds, where it was used, covered with paint, as a cellar door. It is a good example of the linen fold panelling which was common in the latter part of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century.

Rushden Echo, January 11^th 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Return of Mr. W. G. Cove as M.P. for the Wellingborough Division was celebrated on Saturday at Raunds. The proceedings commenced with a tea, and both the Temperance Hall and the large room of the Woodbine W.M.C. were crowded.......

Raunds
The Local Company of the Territorials has been increased by 22 as a result of a week’s recruiting campaign by Staff-Instructor W Walling (Wellingborough).

The Heat of Saturday did not deter a man who cycled from St Neots and immediately afterwards won the three and a half miles “marathon” race at Raunds.

Bowls—Raunds Conservatives on Saturday beat Luton Hoo by 86 – 69.

The Weather Report for January, as recorded at the Council School, shows that the temperatures were well above normal until the 12th, when a cold ENE current from High-pressure system over Western Europe heralded a severe spell of weather. There were 20 degrees of frost on Jan. 17th at 4p.m. Snow fell on five days. There were 14 mornings showing ground frosts.

Raunds - Pauline Smith has successfully passed the Advanced Intermediate Examination of the London College for Elocution.

Rushden Echo, 14^th December 1928, transcribed by Kay Collins

Mr. T. H. Warth, of Raunds Grange, was awarded reserve prize for sow at Thrapston Christmas fat stock show on Tuesday.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 15th March 1929, transcribed by Kay Collins

Raunds - A Skating Association is to be formed at Raunds.

Alderman John Adams, J.P., started today on a tour through Algeria and Tunisia. The trip will include a visit to Biskra (“The Garden of Allah”) and the Sahara Desert.

Raunds Men to Compete at Oxford
The lack of winter and ice has caused the Raunds Skating Association to go further afield for its sport. An excursion has been arranged for February 27th to Oxford where Messrs Frank Hall, Hartwell and R Lawrence, of Raunds, are to compete in speed contests. All three of these gentlemen have shown much promise as future English champions, and Raunds people wonder if another Walt Dix will be found! [see also 1917 above]

Grace Groom conducts the Raunds Ladies' Choir, in the Midland Home Service on Tuesday, January 30th.

Globe Should Re-open Soon
The Pub with no beer and locked doors may soon be back in business for thirsty customers. The problem with the Globe Inn, at Raunds, has been the absence of “mine host.” The previous landlord left at the end of last year and the owners, Watney Mann (Midlands) Ltd., didn’t have enough time to find a successor. And the pub has been closed since.