Sunday School Treats at Rushden - Joyful Juveniles’ Gala Day

The annual fete and gala arranged by the officials of the united Sunday schools Rushden was held yesterday in excellent weather. The proceedings were scarcely on so elaborate scale as former years, this being due to a variety of causes. For instance, it is customary for the whole of the factories in the town to close in honour of this particular event, but this year, in view of the fact that most of the boot and shoe establishments are engaged on army work, such a course was found impossible in several instances.

As a consequence the processional route was not so well lined with spectators as is usually the case and the mission Band was precluded from participating in the afternoon procession. Nevertheless, these little drawbacks did not detract from the enjoyment of the youngsters for whom the function was principally organised.

By 2pm, all the scholars of the Free Church Sunday Schools were assembled in Mr. R. Marriott’s field, when they were marshalled into “column of route” by the chief marshal, Councillor T. Swindall J.P. By 2.20pm they were on the march, each Sunday School being headed by its own particular banner, the Independent Wesleyan Sunday School also carrying the challenge shield, of which they are the holders, offered annually for the Sunday School with the highest percentage of attendances. The festive garb of the girls and the many coloured flags carried by the children in general combined to make a pretty spectacle.

One alarming incident however took place. This occurred opposite Mr. Marriot’s field. The trolleys which are used for the conveyance of the very little children were waiting in the High Street for the signal to start, having already been loaded with tiny tots, when a passing motor-bus which was proceeding in the direction of Irthlingborough, collided with a trolley belonging to Councillor T. Swindall J.P., through the driver swerving in an attempt to avoid a passing motor-cyclist. The trolley was crowded with children at the time but fortunately none was injured, although Mr. A. Kettle, who was in charge of the trolley, was wedged between the shafts and the front mudguard of the bus. Luckily he sustained no injury beyond some nasty skin abrasions on the left hand. It was fortunate the trolley was a fairly heavy vehicle, otherwise it must have been overturned. Both vehicles were so firmly wedged together that it was necessary for a number of men to pull the heavy bus backwards before they could be separated. One of the bus lamps was broken off and the turn table of the trolley was badly smashed. P.S. Brumby and P.C. Knight who was on the scene rendered valuable assistance.

The order of procession was as follows:- Salvation Army Band, Salvation Army Sunday school, Primitive Methodists school, Independent Wesleyan school, Mission school, Congregational school, Conveyances, Park road Baptist school, (accompanied by scholars from the Baptist causes at Chelveston, Higham and Kimbolton), Park Road Wesleyan school, conveyances. The route was via High Street to the Green, where the procession divided into two sections. The Park road Wesleyan and the Park Road Baptist schools proceeded along High Street South and up Griffith Street, the former breaking off at their school premises and the latter proceeding to the Newton Road schools, where tea was provided. The remainder of the procession marched down Skinner’s hill and at the bottom of Church Street, the Independent Wesleyans, Wellingborough Road Mission, Primitive Methodists and Congregationists fell out the former proceeded to Alfred Street schools…………. for tea…………… The Mission, Primitive Methodists, Salvation Army, Independent Wesleyan Sunday schools proceeded to Mr. R. Marriott’s field which the owner had generously placed at the disposal of the organisers. In both cases the committee responsible had spared no pains to provide the children with a variety of delights and amusements. There were swings, buns, cakes, sweets and tea and at dusk fire balloons were sent up.

The joint committee responsible for the organisation of so successful a fete were as follows:- Section 1: Mr. W.E. Capon (President), Mr. J.T. Bettles (secretary), Mr. S. Leeding (treasurer): Baptist representatives, Miss A. Smith, Miss M. Goodwin, Messrs. F. Corby, S.C. Brightwell, E. Harris, H. Wright, and J.T. Bettles; Wesleyans, Miss E. Clark and Miss A. Capon, Messrs. W. Capon, S.E. Lawman and F. Skeeles; Congregational ; Messrs. W.L. Sargeant and W. Holley. The superintendents of the various amusements were as follows:- Sports, Mr. H. Wright; entertainments, Mr. W.E. Capon; gifts Mr. S.C. Brightwell; swings Mr. C. Wooding; balloons Mr. W.J. Cure.

Section 2; Mr. A. Lawson (Secretary) Independent Wesleyan representatives; Messrs W. Lack, W. Cox and J. Jaques; Mission, Messrs. J. Spencer, E. C. Bandey, J. Pogson, and H. Stephenson; Salvation Army, Messrs. A Faulkner, and W. Rowthorn; Primitive Methodists, Messrs. I. Twelvetree and J. Paragreen; stall committee Messrs. W. Lack, G. Leeding, E. Wrighton, J. S. Clipson, and J. Pogson, Mrs. Seamarks and Miss King; sports committee Messrs. C. Maddams (secretary), H. Denton, A. Wooding, J. Jaques, H. Cox, A. Childs, C. Smith, G. Clayton, E.C. Bandey, A. Smith, A. Faulkner, I. Twelvetree, H. E. West, W. Rowthorn, G. Bayes, R. Denton, E. Leeding, B. Swindall, J. Paragreen, A. Barker, G. Linger and A. Long.

At 4.15pm public teas were held at the several places appointed as above mentioned following which the adults adjourned to the playing fields.

The Sports Results were as follows:-

Much appreciated selections were contributed during the evening by the Salvation Army Band in the Town Cricket Ground and by the Mission Band in Mr. Marriott’s field.