At the Eisteddfod held in January, 1923, the scholars obtained 12 prizes.  The class collections handed in during the afternoon anniversary services totalled £18/5/2½, and at the Harvest Festival 36 baskets were purchased for the scholars’ parade.  Recitals were given in October by Miss E Bicheno and in November by Mr A W Hayes.  At the annual meeting Mr H G Denton was appointed Birthday Book secretary; Miss F Cox and Miss F Sears became assistants in the Primary Room.

In 1924 a Scholars’ Exhibition was held on March 26th and 27th, with Mr T D Lewis, Mr F F Parsons, Mr A P Hawtin and the Rev C J Keeler taking part in the opening service.  A piano was purchased for the large schoolroom.  At a Decision Day service in the chapel between 20 and 30 of the older scholars made their affirmation, and in the autumn the Institute for boys was re-organised.

Events in 1925 included a scholars’ Christmas party, a parents’ tea and the visit of the Rev J J Reeves for the Harvest Festival services.

In January 1926 Miss F Denton and Mr S Weekley were appointed as pianists, and Miss F Cox, Mr F Wrighton and Mr A Wooding as organists.  Early in the year the school experienced a loss of valued workers in Mr H Cox, for 26 years superintendent in the Lower Room, and Mr C Baker, teacher of the Young Men’s Class.  Mr E Leeding was appointed assistant superintendent for the Lower Room.  The preacher for the anniversary was Rev F W Chudleigh, of the East London Mission, and the Harvest Festival services were taken by the Rev H T Wigley.  The Eisteddfod was held on November 12th and 13th, and 16 prizes were obtained.

Mr. F. Noble

Completing 50 years’ work in the Sunday Schools at Wellingborough and Rushden, Mr F Noble received a diploma in 1927.  Mrs J Roe resigned on her marriage after many years’ service to the school, and at the Eisteddfod held this year our school obtained 14 prizes.

Among the visitors to a Scholars’ Exhibition in 1928 were Mr John White, Mr G Bull, and Mr and Mrs Timpson, of Manchester.  A flower and egg service was held in July, and Mr A W Hayes visited us in November.

In 1929 the anniversary preacher was the Rev T Nightingale.  The superintendent was requested to pay tribute by letter to Mr G Denton, with best wishes from the school on his 80th birthday.

A very successful parents’ tea was held in April, 1930, and the Rev H Bickley, of Northampton, conducted the anniversary services of the same year, and the Harvest Festival preacher was the Rev R G Goodwin, of Kettering.  On October 19th the school took part in the Robert Raikes 150 Years Celebration, a great procession going from Spencer Park to the Park Road Baptist and Methodist chapels.  This year also saw the opening of the new school at Wymington, when Miss M Hazeldine on behalf of our school presented a purse of £7/10/0.  The Rev C J Keeler was architect for the building.

The Scholars’ Exhibition of 1931 was the means of raising £470, and a letter was received from Mr W Everard, a former teacher now in America.  At the teachers’ meeting held on April 30th tribute was paid to the memory of Mr G Denton.  For many years the stall at the school treat had proved of great value in offsetting the general expenses, and in 1931 the treat cost the school only 5/6.  Mr S Weekley resigned as pianist on his appointment as organist at Irthlingborough, and Miss Mabel Lawson was appointed to take his place.

The school anniversary of 1932 was conducted by the Rev B Sockett, of Wollaston, and the Harvest Festival preacher was the Rev J W James, of Desborough.  Teachers compiled a cookery book, and a report showed a profit of £31 with 150 books still for sale.

On May 11th, 1933, a testimonial was presented to Mr E Wrighton, commemorating 50 years’ service in the school as secretary, teacher and superintendent.  It was decided to donate £5 from the school funds in connection with the stone-laying of a new school at Stanwick, and Mr W Lack was instructed to lay the stone.

The treat on Whit Tuesday, 1934, was held in the “Eastfields” paddock, Miss F I Clipson having charge of the stall.  An egg collection for the Sanatorium was made on May 6th.  The Harvest Festival preacher was the Rev H Blackmore, of Irthlingborough, and a recital for school funds was given in November by Miss C Hall.

In 1935 Mr C Maddams joined Mr W Lack as superintendent of the large schoolroom, Mr G Hall having resigned in order to devote his energies to the Young Men’s Class.  A recital was given by Miss Hylda Gates in November.

Mr Milner Gray took the anniversary of 1936, and the Harvest Festival services were conducted by Rev A R Bromage.  Mr Ernest Elliott, of Market Harborough, gave entertainment in November.

Primary leaders for 1937 were Miss F Cox and Miss Jean Spencer.  A letter was received from Park Road Methodist Sunday School with reference to a canvass of the town, our teachers agreeing to participate.  Another Egg Sunday for the Sanatorium was held in May.  There was some difficulty this year in staffing boys’ classes.

The year 1938 was notable for a visit to the local Union by the Rev R J Denholm, secretary of the National S.S. Union.  At the Anniversary services a number of scholars took part in “Building the Temple,” a demonstration arranged by the Rev C J Keeler.

A special canvass of the districts near our school was undertaken by teachers in 1939, but with little definite success.  A new banner was purchased from the S.S. Union, and a piano was obtained for the Lower Schoolroom, thanks to the generosity of the Misses Clipson.  In this year occurred the death of the Rev C J Keeler, whose close presidential interest in the school extended through all the years of his ministry.

In 1940, again disturbed by war, teachers and elder scholars were called away.  This time the effects of war were felt throughout the school, but the work was carried on by faithful teachers.  The Rev T S Kee became president and showed great interest in the school.  A special fund was organised and gifts were sent to all on Active service.  The annual meeting of this year was ended abruptly by the warning air raid siren.

During 1941 the Y.M.C.A. were using our school as a canteen.  A new picture roll and tables were purchased for the Primary Department.

The Girls' Brigade

The Boys' Brigade

Formation of a Girls’ Life Brigade Company on October 20th was a progressive step in 1942.  The officers were: Chaplain, Rev T S Kee; captain, Miss M Viccars; lieutenants, Miss W Page, Mrs Joan Morrice and Mrs Goodwin; secretary, Miss C Dunkley; treasurer, Miss M Blunt.

Anniversary preacher for 1943 was the Rev B Harris, of Wollaston.  At the Harvest Festival members of the G.L.B. helped to decorate the church and the Rev E J Webb was in the pulpit.  Mr E Leeding (superintendent) resigned because of ill health.  A Cadet Section of the G.L.B. was formed, and the first report of the Brigade showed 17 senior, 9 junior and 13 cadet members.  A collection for the East London Mission was made in December.

On March 12th, 1944, sanction was given by teachers to the forming of a Boys’ Brigade Company, and 17 members were enrolled with Mr Tom Lack as captain and Mr Cross as lieutenant.  Five scholars obtained very high marks in the Scripture Examination, having been coached by the Rev T S Kee, and Miss L Norman presented certificates and prizes at the anniversary services.  These were conducted by the Rev F G Gunn, and the collections amounted to over £44.  From the Harvest Festival proceeds – the services were in the hands of the Rev F Stafford, of Wellingborough – it was possible to vote £45 to the church and £5 to the B.B. Fund.  The G.L.B. reported an increase of 15 members and the award of 91 proficiency badges.  Our G.L.B. Juniors won the Battalion Shield.

In June of 1945 it was with regret that we said goodbye to the Rev T S Kee, who moved to Leicester.  In December Mr W Lack completed 50 years’ connection with the school, 37 years as superintendent, and was presented with the Golden Diploma of the National S.S. Union by Miss F I Clipson, with a purse of money from the school and church through Mr C Maddams.

It may be of interest to give here the secretary’s report of 1945, giving a very clear picture of the work during these present times.

In 1946 Scripture Examination entrants again did well.  Anniversary services were conducted by the Rev L A Wide, of Kettering, and Harvest Festival services by the Rev J Renison, who had just commenced his ministry with the church.  The G.L.B. seniors won the Battalion Shield.

The Rev John Renison was elected President in 1947, and the superintendents were Mr W Lack, Mr C Maddams and Mr D Towner for the Upper School and Miss F I Clipson and Miss D Cunnington for the Lower Room.  New teachers for the Primary Room were Jean Hardwick, Gwen Smith and Barbara Dudley.  Pianists were Miss F Denton, Miss Joan Viccars, Miss M Viccars and Mr A Wooding; secretaries of the I.B.R.A., Thelma Whiting and Jean Aspinall.  Cradle Roll equipment was presented to the school by Mr and Mrs S Kee.  The school also took part in the “Rushden-on-Sea” effort to help meet the cost of school renovations.

June, 1948, brings us to the Centenary of our school, and, having followed the story through the years, we have ample proof that the blessing of God has been present in large measure to crown the faithful efforts of a wisely guided band of workers.  These, imbued with the spirit of progress and adventure, have not only carried on the work at Queen Street, but formed the schools at Wymington and the Wellingborough Road Mission, and with keen interest assisted other schools in the district.

For all this we give thanks to God, knowing that many lives have been blessed and guided in right paths.  Our appreciation of the loyal services of past and present officers and teachers is unbounded and sincere, and we pray that many more may be raised up to continue the great and glorious work in the years to come.