Benefit Concert at Rushden – Roden Convalescent Home

The Co-operative Hall, Rushden, was crowded on Monday night on the occasion of an entertainment provided by the Educational Department of the Co-operative Society for the benefit of the Roden Convalescent Home. In fact many were unable to gain admission.

Mr W H Marriott, secretary to the committee, presided, and expressed his great pleasure at seeing the Hall so well filled, seeing that the object of the concert was such a good one. The funds raised would go towards the maintenance of any member of the society who wished to go to the home.

The programme was opened with a selection, “Martians”, admirably rendered by the Co-operative Orchestral Band, under Mr F S Knight’s able conductorship. The quartette, “Sweet and low”, was sweetly sung by Misses Pegler and Maxted, Messrs J Perkins and Welsh. Mr H Neal caused great merriment by his rendering of the humorous song “What’s become of our songs?” and in response to an encore he recited “The wreck of the Dover express.” Mr A E Long, mouth-organ soloist, contributed a “Medley of popular airs” in excellent style, and Mr G Coles gave an admirable rendering of the song “Asleep in the deep”. Mr G W Button expressively recited “he little girl and the President,” and Mr C Tew was re-called for his singing of “The Galloping Major”. Another quartette, “Slumber song” was given by the quartette party, and Mr Long gave “Varieties and imitations” on the mouth-organ in such a way as to elicit an encore. Mr Neal gave the final item in the first part of the programme—“The man with the single hair,” which greatly amused the audience.

During an interval selections were played by the orchestra, after which the laughable farce, “The new footman” was well performed by the Employees’ Dramatic Society. The amateur actors showed considerable histrionic ability, and there was not a weak place in the caste. The characters were admirably sustained by Messrs C Firth, W Colton, C Tew, H Baker, C Berry, H Page, and Shelton; Mrs Shelton; Misses H Wood and Maxted. The playing of the National Anthem by the orchestra concluded a very enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

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