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The Rushden Echo, 24th August, 1923
Health Week Again at Rushden
Preparing for Another Campaign - “Help Yourself to Health”
Marked enthusiasm characterised the meeting held at the Council Buildings, Rushden, last Friday evening, and convened by the Rushden Urban Council, to make arrangements for the Health Week, which is to be officially observed from Oct. 7th to the 14th. Councillor C. Bates presided, and representatives were present from most of the churches, clubs, and societies, and other organisations in the town. Supporting the chairman were the following members of the Rushden Urban Council: Messrs. T. Swindall, John Spencer, J.P., C. W. Horrell, C.A., F. Corby, and G. W. Coles, J.P. Others present included Dr. Greenfield, Dr. Davies, Mr. C. Cross, C.C. (County Public Health Committee), Mrs. C. Cross, Mr. L. Baxter (School Manager), Mr. W. Bazeley, J.P., Mrs. Durham (Board of Guardians), and many others. Mr. W. L. Beetenson acted as secretary in the absence of Mr. Piper (last year’s secretary).
Other representatives present were as follow: St. John Ambulance Association, Mr. J. Marshall Bailey, M.C.; Co-operative Society, Messrs. F. W. J. Elsdon and E. A. Sugars; Trade and Labour Council, Mrs. M. H. Wilson, Mrs. Craft, and Mr. C. Smith; Allotment Society, Messrs. W. Gutteridge and W. Hinde; Free Gardeners, Messrs. F. Reeve and J. E. Spavins; Temperance Society, Messrs. J. T. Bettles and F. S. Knight; Education Committee, Mr. B. Vorley; Rechabites, Mr. J. T. Mackness; Boot Operatives’ Union, Mr. W. Hills; Oddfellows, Mr. T. Barker; Mission Hall, Mr. J. Pogson; British Legion, Mr. R. F. Smith; A.O.F., Mr. H. W. Mackness.
The Chairman explained that the meeting was called to make arrangements for Health Week. He understood that Mr. Piper (Sanitary Inspector), who was now away on his holidays, had been asked if he would again act as secretary, and had promised to occupy the position if the committee desired it. (Applause.)
Mr. G. W. Coles moved that Health Week be observed on similar lines to last year’s effort, during the second week in October, as requested by the County Health Committee. He said they all had fresh in their minds the great success which crowned the efforts put forth last year, and everyone was highly gratified at the satisfactory results achieved. Last year’s campaign was a very strenuous time for some, but all of them felt well repaid. Mr. Coles proceeded to explain that the objects of Health Week were to focus public attention for one week in the year on matters of health, and to arouse that sense of personal responsibility for health without which all public work, whether by the Government or by Local Authorities, could never be completely successful. “Self-help in health” was the motto of the movement. These were objects which were worthy of the most serious attention of everyone, and no one would take exception to them. They had it on the authority of the doctors that 50 per cent. of the sickness experienced was avoidable. If by education on the subject the health of the town could be improved it was one of the finest works which they could undertake. The conditions surrounding the work this year were different from what they were last year. Owing to the immense success they had in Rushden last autumn, which had caused a great deal of talk throughout the county, a joint committee had been formed to arrange and organise “Health Week” throughout the county, the committee comprising two members of the Public Health Committee of the County Council, with Dr. Paget (the County medical Officer of health), two members of the Education Committee of the County Council, with Mr. Holland (the secretary), and two members of the County Health Insurance Committee, with Mr. Yorke Groves (the secretary). The committee invited any town which took up this work to be represented on the committee, so that such a town could have a voice in all that was being said and done. The committee were fortunate with regard to money, and authorised an expenditure not exceeding £250, so that they could provide cinema films, speakers, literature, posters, etc., free of charge. A town would have its choice, and could go upon any lines it wished. He hoped the matter would be well taken up in the county. This year the committee’s effort would be confined to the 12 urban authorities in the administrative county and to the county town, and the hope was that next year the movement would grow, so that they could take in the Rural District Councils as well.
Ald. Horrell seconded the proposition.
Mr. Swindall, in supporting, said they were very much obliged to Mr. Coles for the explanation he had given. No one put more energy into the Health Week effort at Rushden last year than did Mr. Coles. Certainly the coming Health Week should be in many respects far better than even last year’s effort.
The proposition was carried unanimously. Ald. Horrell moved the appointment of a committee of seven, with power to add, and this was carried, the following being appointed: Messrs. C. Bates, L. Perkins, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, T. Swindall, W. Gutteridge, and Mrs. Wilson.
On the proposition of Mr. Swindall, seconded by Mr. Corby, Mr. Piper was elected secretary, Mr. Swindall speaking of the hard work Mr. Piper did for last year’s Health Week.
Mr. Spencer suggested that, as last year, all the organisations in the town be invited to send representatives to the committee.
Mr. Coles said that if they were to get the best results they must have all the organisations represented on the committee. He moved that this be done.
Mr. Corby seconded and it was carried.
Dr. Greenfield said he had seen a syllabus of the speakers, etc. There were 20 or 30 eminent people, including several women doctors, and some journalist doctors like Dr. Saleeby, who were prepared to give lectures. He suggested that they should try and vary the programme as much as possible from last year, to make the ground covered as wide as possible. From the list of speakers they would not have the slightest difficulty in getting suited.
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