Advert from 'Northampton Herald^’, July 17 1852

A Sermon in Rushden Church will be preached on Tuesday next, July 20th 1852, by the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of Peterborough, in aid of the repairs and fittings of the above Church, upon which occasion an organ, presented by John Cooke, Esq. will be opened.
N.B. Service will commence at Four o'clock p.m.

1852-53 Rushden Church Organ

Mrs Ratcliffe (wife of the Revd. Ratcliffe, Curate at Rushden in Rev. Downe’s time) had organ lessons from a Gentleman from Wellingborough, I suppose to get used to the new organ in Parish church put up in 1852 and opened on July 24^th, 1852. This Mrs Ratcliffe gave lessons to Mrs Samuel Knight who is living up Kimbolton road near corner of Hayway, Rushden. Mrs S. Knight is 94 years of age & she was 17 or 18 years old when she had the above mentioned lessons & she was allowed to practice on the new organ, the latter was presented by a Mr Cook, farmer, then at Bencroft Lodge, Bedford road, Rushden where Mr Whittemore (junior), now lives. J. W. senior was buried last Thursday, Jany. 27, 1927. So Mrs Knight when a girl must have been the first one to learn on the New Organ with the exception of Mrs Radcliffe, the curate’s wife. Mr Ratcliffe, I think, wrote the inscription which was on the front of the Organ case. This 1^st organ was taken down in 1874-5 & the present organ put up & opened 2^nd February, 1875 by Ric. Harrington, organist of Wellingborough Parish Church, St Lukes. I had a few lessons (piano) of him in his house in Sheep St., Wellingborough, just opposite Lacks the nurseryman. A Mr John Foster of London opened the 1^st mentioned organ in 1852. Mrs Ratcliffe, I think, was the first organist to Rushden Church, Mrs Walter Wagstaffe, I think, was next, then Mr Walter Spong, farmer, of Higham Ferrers who lived near the old Walnut Tree, then a Miss Margaret Packwood, daughter of George Packwood, old fiddler and cellist. The 1^st time I had a lesson at Wellingborough, Mr Harrington was not in when I called, I was asked to go up to the Parish Church, he was giving an organ lesson to the above Miss Packwood. I little thought I should succeed her at Rushden in a few weeks because she could not manage the new organ in 1875, at Rushden, so Canon Barker told my uncle Abel Clarke at Stanwick when  he, Canon Barker, came over to see if I would play at Rushden. He invited me to come over & try it by playing at the Service the next Sunday morning, which I did, then had dinner at the Rectory, then walked to Souldrop (where I was organist), for the Afternoon & Evening Services, when I got home to Stanwick Monday morning having stayed the night at Souldrop, the Canon had sent a note by Swan the gardener to say he hoped I would accept the appointment which after a little thought I accepted and now February 1^st, 1927, it is about 52 years I have been organist and Choirmaster here. I came last week of May 1875, leaving Souldrop the Sunday before (Trinity Sunday) also their Feast Sunday. I lived in Willmott’s house first, top of Fitzwilliam St. facing Wellingborough road. Then to John Clayton’s house, corner of Wymington road, old house, then to Ginn’s blacksmith, then to John Scott’s, close to Claridge’s factory. Married from this house to High St almost opposite Denton’s factory (where Harold Miller now lives, 1927). Then to house Wellingborough road which belonged to Sparrow the builder & where Carrington (the Palace manager, now lives), back to High St house, then back to old house, Wellingborough road, then down Church St no. 22 on corner of John St where I am writing this, opposite Dr Muriset’s & where Dr Baker used to live. Paul Cave offered me the High Street house because he had built the house where Mr Hyde now lives North end. When Arthur Cave married he wanted Paul’s old house so I had to leave & went Wellingborough road house, the only house to be let there & when Arthur Cave built his house, Kimbolton road where Mr White, bootfactor lives, he offered me the old High St house again. I liked it and went nearer my Church work & pupils, rent put up very high after I got in so soon left again, went back to Wellingborough road house, then home, 22 Church St. Joseph Enos Smith.

The Rev E Braley of Nottingham, late curate of Rushden Parish Church, preached 3 times; in the afternoon very large congregation of "Friendly Societies &c" filled the Church, the choir boys had to stand in front of their Choir seats to allow some of the men to sit, the Choir ladies 6 of them had to stand throughout the time, large congregation in the Evening too. I think the afternoon was the largest Congregation but one since I have been organist here (over 41 years) the largest was about 30 years ago at the end of a great Mission which Bishop Magee preached; people sat all along in front of the altar, on the steps & around the organ. I had one beside me on the organ stool.

Decani South: Reginald Hall, Harry Ginns, Morris Warren, Derrick Hollis, Percy House, Robert Butcher, Jack Pearson, Reg Langdon.

Cantoris North: Joe Ekins (leader), Bert Butcher, Hugh Whitworth, Sam Ekins, Stanley Whitworth, Ted Bird, Bernard Langdon, Dennis Ginns.

Probs: Eric Ginns, R. Robinson, Cecil Whitworth, Rodney Barker. Fred Bird.

Men: H. Geary, John Scott, E. Pashler, Lilley, Ball, Wollard, W. Ginns, Ernest Robinson, Coleman.

Saturday, July 11th, 1925. Beautiful day. D.O.P. met me at corner of Station Road – High Street and went with me by 7.27 train to Wellingborough, met Mr Essam of Kettering (organist of St Andrew’s Church), & 3 ladies, by train to Northampton, arrived about 8.20. Met Mr King, organist of St Matthew’s, Northampton & Mr Wood, organist of All Saints, Wellingborough & other organists. Went by charabanc from Market Square to Windsor. Peg Essam & myself sat in back seat of 1st motor, the scenery was very good especially near Windsor. We had to stop half way there to do a slight repair to engine. We arrived at Eton at about 12.30, went round the College. The organist showed us the organ which was very fine & then in the Chapel, no students about, from there to Castle Hotel for dinner, Sirloin Beef Salad. Peg had lettuce (which she is very fond of). We went and inspected state apartments at the Castle in afternoon, throne room & several others. Peg admired the paintings more than anything. We also went into the Chapel & the Memorial Chapel. The Chapel was under repair, the scene was very fine on the terrace, the way we went in. We had tea at Castle Hotel & then Peg & myself went shopping for a present while the other organists went to a special service in the Chapel, we went into Parish church almost opposite. I think we left Windsor about a quarter to 7. We sat together with two or 3 nice old ladies who gave us cherry sweets. Arrived at Northampton about 9.30. I think by bus to Wellingborough & just caught bus to Rushden, home about quarter past 11 after a splendid day just went in Pegs house then to 22 Church Street. Joseph Enos Smith, Organist & Choirmaster of St Mary’s Parish Church, Rushden. The holiday outing was in connection with the Northamptonshire Organists’ Association, they invited me & Peg. London is to be the outing in 1926.

We had a full practice at Church last evening, Wednesday, Sept 22, 1926. Another for next Sunday on Feast – “While the Earth remains to”. Psalms & Hymns. Rector at Oundle, Curate out. (Rev. Lipscombe).

On Saturday, June 25th, 1927, Mr Fred Lilley who arranges these Choir outings, that is (they are not “Official”) or arranged by the Rector. Messrs Fred Lilley, H. Geary, Will. Ginns, Coleman & their wives, John Scott, Simmons & Walter Bates, all the above men are members of Parish Church Choir, St. Marys. A few others went including Mrs Bettles & Miss Olive Bettles, my assistant & pupil & myself Joseph Enos Smith, Organist & Choirmaster of St Mary's since March 1875. May not March. We went in Scroxton’s Safety Coach & another. We met opposite the Church at the old Green at 7 AM. I was in time as usual. We started off in Scroxton’s Motor Coach & a second Coach of Robinson. 31 of the party at 7.15. Not a bright morning but fine. I sat in back seat with Mrs & Miss Bettles, Harold Geary & his wife. To Higham, Stanwick, we saw the ladder up Stanwick spire ready to restore it. To Ringstead, Thrapston, Titchmarsh to Oundle. Stopped in Long Causeway at Peterborough. Some of the party including Peg tried to get into the Cathedral but not open (too early). I got glass of hot milk just opposite Motors in Long Causeway, then on again for Hunstanton. We stopped at Wisbech for refreshments & all had cup of coffee & roll of bread & butter I think, not far from Market Sq. The old River Nene looked almost empty, the road close to that is very dangerous & narrow. A large monument in Market Sq. We stopped at Sandringham and Photo taken of the party, we stood back to a garden gate leading to a very beautiful long path, rockery & flower arches. Peg came out well, I stood behind. I being the oldest (much), of the party being 76, grey headed. We had a look at the front gates with “Coat of Arms” opposite Sandringham House. Everything beautiful especially the Rhod(odendrons). We reached Hunstanton about 12.30. Put motors up at Hotel (top of the “Green”).