Jubilee Year 1898 was full of activity.  Mrs Benham, of London, gave a course of lectures, with teachers from other schools attending.  April 12th and 13th saw the second Industrial Exhibition held in connection with the school.  The syllabus was obtained from the Sydenham and Forest Hill Sunday School Union, London, and the scholars’ exhibits were the main feature.  The celebrate the Jubilee, what is now known as No.3 Classroom was built and opened by the Rev Newman Hall, of London, who preached on the Sunday.  The Rev G E Stone, of Norwich, was the preacher for the anniversary services.

An adult Bible Class was formed, the leader being Mr T Bromage.  In August the erection of the present chapel was commenced.  It was agreed that memorial stones should be laid by Mr G Denton for the Assembly Room, Mr J Jaques for the Lower Room and Infants, Mr T Bromage for the Adult Class, and Mr J Clark for the Station Road School.  Arrangements were made for the Infant Class to meet in Mr Claridge’s factory during the erection of the chapel and other buildings.

Mr. E. Wrighton

At the annual meeting held in 1899 Mr E Claridge tendered his resignation as superintendent, and thanks were expressed for his services.  Superintendents at this time were Messrs G Denton, J Jaques and E Wrighton, with Mr H Cox as assistant.

On February 22nd, 1900, the new chapel was opened by Dr Brown, of Bedford, and at a special school service on Sunday, February 25th, Mr G Green, of Wellingborough, gave an address.  Scholars were allowed to take their places for morning service in the gallery.  Anniversary services on June 24th were conducted by the Rev J Croxford, of Harrold, and 21 Bibles were presented to scholars.  On the occasion of the stone-laying of the Mission Church in Wellingborough Road, Mr J Jaques for the school presented an offering of £10.

Anniversary services for 1910 were taken by the Rev J Boughey.  On August 18th a collection was taken in the school for the benefit of Mr Albert Midlane, author of the hymn “There’s a Friend for Little Children,” the hymn being sung in the afternoon session.  The Harvest Festival services were conducted by the Rev R Shorten, now pastor and president of the school.  Schools were renovated and re-opened on November 24th and 25th, and financial efforts amounted to over £101.

In February 1902, mission services were held at Queen Street and Wellingborough Road.  At a united gathering of Rushden teachers that year diplomas were presented to a number who had served for many years in the schools of the town.  September saw a bazaar and fancy fair.  The Mission School suffered losses by the passing of Miss P Clipson and Mr G King, organist and superintendent.

Mr. H. Cox

Conducted by the Rev T G Harper, the anniversary of 1903 brought the presentation of 38 Bibles.

Alterations to the platform of the school were made in 1904 and cost £35.  The superintendents now were Messrs G Denton, T Bromage, W Everard and H Cox.  Our school took part in the effort by the Local Union in connection with the Centenary of the National S.S. Union, which raised £85 for the N.U. funds.  The anniversary preacher was the Rev W Clough, of Barnsley.

A new hymn book was chosen and a school choir formed under Mr E Cunnington.  It was also decided to adopt the star-marking system.  Up to this time our teachers and those of the Mission School had united for all purposes, but it was now agreed to have separate funds, the Mission teachers to meet separately and transact the business of their own school.

The year 1905 saw another scholars’ Industrial Exhibition arranged for Easter Monday and Tuesday.  Mr W Everard left for America, and Mr J Jaques took his place as superintendent in the Lower Schoolroom.

In 1906 Mr Lindsay Clipson was one of the organists in the school and Miss P Ladds was secretary of the I.B.R.A.  A sale of work and entertainment was held on Easter Tuesday.  Mr John Mackness and Mr W Drage left for America.  Mr E Wrighton and Miss E Strachan were added to the list of superintendents, Mr T Bromage having passed away.

In 1907 a committee of four arranged a sweets and fruit stall at the summer treat.  At the annual meeting on December 30th Mr G Denton’s resignation as superintendent was accepted with regret, and a special resolution recorded thanks for services rendered over 43 years.  We are glad to know that Mr Denton’s interest in the school continued in other activities for a much long period.

Diamond Jubilee Year 1908 saw a gymnastic class formed with 20 members under Mr G Cook, Mr J D Cunnington being secretary.  For several years this class gave displays at the school treat and on other occasions.  It was decided that the school should compete for the Attendance Shield offered to the Local Sunday School Union by Mr G Smith, of Thrapston.  Forty teachers attended the annual meeting on December 31st, and Messrs J S, W H, and H G Denton were appointed assistant secretaries.

The Gymnasium Class in 1908

Anniversary preacher for 1909 was the Rev W R Harvey, of Desborough.  All schools in the town were in favour of a united demonstration on the occasion of the school treats, and we were to join with the Mission School and secure the use of Mr R Marriott’s field.  Our teachers took part with other organisations in the “White City Bazaar” in aid of church funds.  In November Mr A W Hayes, the Hucknall elocutionist, paid his first visit, the school funds benefiting.  At the annual meeting on December 31st, the Rev C J Keeler, now minister of the church, became president of the school.

Mr Keeler preached at the 1910 anniversary, and for the school treat that year we joined with the Mission, the Primitive Methodists and the Salvation Army schools.  The school at this time numbered 390 scholars with 56 teachers.  Miss E Strachan, superintendent, resigned on leaving the town, and Mr W Lack was appointed to fill the vacancy.

A banner was presented to the school in 1911 by a group of friends, and in March of this year Mr J L Clipson gave up his musical duties with us on his appointment as organist at the Park Road Baptist Church.  The schools were renovated, and in August Mr J Jaques resigned as superintendent owing to his visit to Australia, receiving an illuminated address in appreciation of his services.  Miss A Matthews was then appointed superintendent in the Upper School.

There was a Birthday Party in March, 1912, and each one attending contributed according to age.  At the S.S. Union meetings at Thrapston the Attendance Challenge Shield for 1911, which had been won by our school, was presented to our superintendent.  During this year also a new hymn book was introduced and Miss F Whitney took the place of Miss P Ladds as I.B.R.A. secretary.

Easter Week 1913 saw another Scholars’ Exhibition, with sale stalls, 86 people serving on various committees.  Miss A Matthews presided at the October quarterly meeting, but soon after this the school lost her services through removal to her home town.  In the meantime Mr Jaques had returned from Australia and was elected as one of the superintendents for 1914.

As a result of the star-marking system a number of scholars had five-year records of complete attendance, and at a garden party in 1914 they were photographed with the school officers.  A gallery in the Beginners’ Room was removed by teachers, and 50 small chairs were purchased for the use of scholars in this department.  This year saw the completion of 50 years’ service to the school by Mr C G Cunnington and Mr G Denton, whose devoted and faithful service was recorded on the minutes.  Illuminated addresses were later presented to both.  The Attendance Shield was won by our school for both 1913 and 1914.

The absence of several workers on war service disturbed the work of the school in 1915.  In spite of the war, however, the school treat was held in joint session with the Mission School, the numbers being 600 scholars and 200 adults.  Provisions ordered for this treat may be noted with envy – 80 loaves, 90lbs slab cake, 20lbs dough cake, 600 buns, 100 iced buns, 150 small cakes, six gallons milk, 40lbs butter, 40lbs sugar and eight lbs of tea.

In 1916 Miss N Clipson was added to the list of superintendents and also agreed to coach scholars for the Union Scripture Examination.  The schools were now in the occupation of the military authorities and services had to be held in the gallery of the church.  As the assistant secretaries were on active services, deputies took their place, but these, too, were eventually called away.  The annual meeting was held at “Eastfields,” the Rev C J Keeler presiding.  The superintendents were Messrs W Lack, J Jaques and H Cox and Miss N Clipson, the secretary Mr A H Lawson, and the conductors of singing Mr A H Lawson, Mr F Noble and Miss F I Clipson.  Miss E Sharp was thanked for her services as organist on her appointment as organist at the Wesleyan Church, Kettering.  Parcels were sent to those connected with the school and church who were serving in the war.

Food restrictions made it impossible to hold treats in 1917 and 1918.  Bible picture cards were introduced for the Lower School, a piano was purchased for the Infants’ Room, and in 1917 Miss M Clayton, a teacher for many years, was presented with a testimonial.

With a view to providing recreation for the young people, a field was hired and an Institute formed for boys and girls in 1919.  Cricket for boys and other ball games for girls filled the summer, and an indoor Institute was arranged for the winter months.  Class teaching, we note, was to be resumed as soon as possible.  Representatives to the Eisteddfod Committee were Miss F Denton and Miss B Patenall.  Leaders for the Infants’ Room were Miss A Partridge and Miss R Knight.

Early in 1920 the school suffered a great loss in the passing of Mr A H Lawson, who had been secretary for 30 years and was remarkably thorough in attention to every detail of the work.  At the teachers’ meeting in April the secretaryship passed to Mr J S Denton.  A collection was made in the school for the Central Europe Children’s Fund, and in November Mr A W Hayes came to give Dickens’s “Christmas Carol.”  On November 20th and 23rd, at the first Eisteddfod organised by the Sunday School Union, 23 of our scholars and the choir, conducted by Mr J S Clipson, competed, taking seven prizes.

In April 1921 the minutes record a tribute to the memory of Mr C G Cunnington after a connection extending over 60 years, many of them as teacher of the Senior Young Ladies’ Class.  Miss H Lack and Miss L Knight were appointed secretaries for the I.B.R.A.  At the Eisteddfod – held this year in our schools – scholars obtained 12 prizes.