Rushden Echo, Friday, December 2, 1904, transcribed by Greville Watson

Park-road Wesleyan Church

The old school in North-street has been taken by the Park-road Wesleyan Church for use as a mission-hall for social work.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 20 January 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

New Mission Hall at Rushden

Successful Opening Services

The Wesleyan Methodists of Rushden opened the North Street schoolroom as a Mission Hall on Saturday afternoon by a public tea, at which there was a good company. The ladies making the arrangements for the tea were Mrs. T. Cunnington, Mrs. Alf. Groome, Mrs. Short, Misses Short, C. Button, L. Deighton, I. Atkinson, and S. Atkinson. The room was nicely decorated with flags and bunting, and around the walls were hung maps and charts of an educational character, the gift of Mr. T. Cunnington. The tea was given by Mrs. T. Cunnington.

A public meeting was afterwards held. Mr. T. Cunnington presided over a good attendance. Addresses were given by the chairman and Messrs. A. Austin, A. Short, S. Michell, and H. Staniland, and the following items were well rendered:–

Pianoforte solo, Mr. E. Sugars; duet, My mother’s prayer, Misses Deighton and S. Atkinson; recitation, Curly the waif, Mr. W. Capon; solo, There we shall meet and rest, Miss C. Button; solo, Over the line, Mr. Betts; recitation, The mother’s assurance, Mr. E. Coleman; solo, Mr. F. Clarke; quartette, In the silent midnight watches, Miss Button, Miss Atkinson, Mr. Dickenson, and Mr. Sugars.

On Sunday at 8 p.m. a mission service was held, when addresses were given by Messrs. Michell, Short, Smart, and Staniland. It is intended to hold a similar service every Sunday at 8 p.m., and to open the room each week-night for reading, social intercourse, and other educational, recreative, and religious purposes.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 27 January 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

On Sunday evening there was a large congregation. Addresses were given by Messrs. Short, Bright, Austin, Wagstaff, and Staniland, and the Rev. H. J. Atkinson. Mr. F. Betts sang a solo.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 10 February 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

A concert was given in the North Street Wesleyan Mission-room, on Saturday night, there being a crowded attendance. The Rev. H. J. Atkinson presided, and a splendid programme was given, the artistes including the Baptist Quartette Party. A tea preceded the concert, the arrangements being made by Messrs. Austin, Staniland, and Gavin Smith.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 24 February 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

A lecture on “The early history of the Britons” was given on Wednesday in the North Street Mission-room by Mr. S. Michell.  Mr. Staniland presided.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 3 March 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

A most interesting and instructive lecture on “Volcanoes and Earthquakes” was given in the North Street Schoolroom on Wednesday night by Miss Myers, of the Alfred Street Schools.  Mr. T. Watson narrated some thrilling personal experiences of earthquakes in South America.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 24 March 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

A tea was held in the North Street Mission-room on Saturday, about 60 being present.  The tea, over which Mesdames Austin, Smith, Staniland, Watson, and Willmott presided, was given by Mr. Staniland, and the proceeds were for the building fund of the Park Road Wesleyan Church.  Afterwards a collection was made spontaneously among those present on behalf of the Mission.  Mr. T. Warr presided in the evening, when an interesting programme was given by Mr. Watson and others.

An address on Canada, illustrated by a large map, was given at the North Street Mission-room on Wednesday night by Mr. S. Michell.  Useful information was supplied of the immensity of the Dominion, its capabilities, population, climate, &c.  Mr. Michell dwelt more particularly on the climates of Manitoba, Ontario, and other parts, showing from independent sources that Canadian winters compared favourably with English winters; that the lower temperatures, with the bright skies, pure, dry and bracing atmosphere, brought no such sense of personal discomfort as the raw humid winters of England and their biting winds, with a higher range of temperature.  The thermometer was not a reliable indicator of the nature of a Canadian winter.  The farmers regarded the heavy snowfall as a blessing from an agricultural standpoint.  Mr. G. Smith presided.  At the close of the address refreshments were served.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 21 April 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

A sale of work and a jumble sale took place in the North Street Mission Room on Saturday last.  Tea was served at 5 p.m., Mrs. Short and Mrs. G. Smith presiding at the tables.  Afterwards the sale took place, Mrs. Atkinson, Mrs. I. Cunnington, and Miss Scott presiding at the stalls.  During the evening a musical programme was given by friends from the Park Road Wesleyan Church and the Wellingborough Road Mission.  About 21s. [£1.05p] was raised for the North Street Mission (from the tea), and £2 for the Park Road Wesleyan Church Building Fund (from the sale).

Rushden Echo, Friday, 21 April 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

Lecture

A most instructive lecture was given at North Street Schoolroom on Wednesday, by Miss Watson, on “Health in the home.”  Miss Watson dealt principally with air and water, and spoke of the vital importance of fresh air and pure water in the home, illustrating her remarks with interesting and striking experiments.  The greatest interest was manifested by the audience, and several questions were asked at the close.  A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Miss Watson, with a request that she would continue the subject by giving further lectures.  Mr.Thos.Cunnington presided.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 28 April 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

The Wesleyan Bible Class met on Sunday afternoon in the North Street Mission-room, the room at Park Road not being available.  Mrs.T.Watson gave a paper on the parable of the Ten Talents, and there was a spirited discussion.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 5 May 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

North-street Mission Room

On Wednesday evening Mr.Gavin Smith gave a very interesting address relating to his military experiences in Egypt through the campaign against Arabi Pasha.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 1 September 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

The Park Road Wesleyans have started a branch Sunday School in the North Street Mission Hall.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 1 September 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

Mr. Walter Gadsby, of Cliff College, who is taking up a pastoral work at Brigg next Sunday, presided at the Park Road Wesleyan Adult Bible Class last Sunday afternoon, when Mr. Scrivener gave a paper on “The law of the letter and the spirit.”  In the evening Mr. Gadsby preached in the North Street Mission Room to a large congregation.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 13 October 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

The North Street Mission-hall, connected with the Park Road Wesleyan Church, Rushden, was prettily decorated for the harvest thanksgiving services held on Sunday last.  The Rev. H. J. Atkinson conducted the morning service and preached from the words, “She hath wrought a good work.”  The Adult School Male Choir lead the singing and gave an anthem.

Mr. S. Michell presided over a musical service in the afternoon.  Miss Clarice Button sang two solos; Mr. Smart recited; Mrs. George contributed a violin solo; Miss Scott, Miss Haddon, Mr. Clarke, and Mr. Wooding sang a quartette.  Mrs. Jaques gave an address on “Are you a soldier in the regiment under the great Captain?”  Mrs. H. J. Atkinson spoke on “God in creation.”  The service was much enjoyed.

In the evening Alderman T. Patenall preached on “God’s loving-kindness better than life.”  The children of the Sunday School occupied the seats on the platform and opened the service by singing the hymn, “Brining in the sheaves.”  Two quartettes were sung by Messrs. Howes, Bailey, Linnitt, and Hardwick.

All the services were crowded, and at night many people were unable to gain admission.  The Adult School Male Choir rendered valuable help in the musical portion of the services.  Messrs. Sugars and Howes were the pianists.  The decorations were the work of Messrs. Gavin Smith, T. Warr, T. Chapman, and Judd, Mrs. Church, Mrs. A. Short, Miss Deighton, Miss S. Atkinson, Miss Button, and others.

On Monday a public tea – given by Mr. and Mrs C. W. Horrell – was held, the company numbering about 50.  Subsequently the fruit and vegetables were sold, Mr. T. Watson making an efficient salesman.

On the motion of Mr. Staniland, seconded by Mr. E. Miller, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the workers, and Mr. Gavin Smith responded.  On the proposition of Mr. Staniland, seconded by Mr. T. Watson, Mr. and Mrs. Horrell were thanked for giving the tea.

The total proceeds of the services amounted to £6 10s.

Rushden Echo, Friday, 24 November 1905, transcribed by Greville Watson

At the weekly meeting on Wednesday at the North Street Mission, a lecture was given on “Whittier, the American Quaker poet.”  The services are being largely attended.