Saturday was an important day in the life ol the Ambulance Brigade movement in Rushden, witnessing, as it did. the formal opening of the new headquarters which have been acquired after several years of persevering work. Associated with the ceremony was also the annual district inspection, which is usually held at Wellingborough.

The new building is erected on a piece of ground belonging to the Rushden Urban Council, on the south side of the Midland-road. On the representation of the brigade to the council, the latter offered to allow them to erect a building at the spot indicated if they chose to do so, and that offer was accepted. The situation is central and convenient.

The New Building

The accepted design and estimate for the building was that of Messrs. Browne and Lilley of Reading. The structure rests on a brick foundation, and, owing to the levels of the site, ample store-rooms and lavatory accommodation were obtained beneath the main building which is set back about 8ft. from the Midland-road. The main entrance is in the centre of the building, and, upon entering, to the left is a properly equipped ambulance store, and to the right is an office for the superintendent. The principal, or assembly, room, is about 33ft by 19ft. This is well lighted, with windows on either side, is ventilated by turret ventilators, and will be heated by gas radiators. The walls are lined with matchboarding, oil stained, and the ceiling is painted white. The gas fittings are by the Gas Company, and the town water is laid on.

The building presents a pleasing appearance. The front of the building is entirely of wood, and the end and sides of corrugated iron, the whole being painted in suitable colours. The upper part of the front gable is an imitation of half-timber work. The roof is of corrugated iron painted a deep red.

The contractor for the basement portion was Mr. J. Harrison, of Rushden, from plans by the town surveyor, Mr. W. B. Madin, who has acted as honorary architect. The total costs of the building and the fittings will be about £220.

The work in connection with the provision of the headquarters has been carried out by the Ambulance Fund Building Committee, of which the chairman was Mr. E. Claridge, who is also the president of the brigade; the treasurer, Mr. A. T. Page Phillipson, and the secretaries, Mr. Cashmore and Mr. Dixon.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was performed at three o'clock by Assistant Commissioner T. H. Woolston, and was attended by the divisions of the Wellingborough Corps. The rendezvous was at the Alfred-street. Schools, und those attending were as follow:—Wellingborough, under Chief-Supt. Nicholson (who was in command of the corps) and Supt. J. C. Parker; Higham Ferrers, Supt.-Secretary A. O. Groome and Supt. H. Rollins Patenall; Rushden, Supt. T. Swindall; Irthlingborough, Supt. Bailey; Wollaston, First Sergt. Drage; Irchester First Officer G. D. Parsons; Ringstead, and Bozcat. The nursing sisters were represented as follow: — Wellingborough,under Lady Supt. Smith; [the end of the page is missing]

...... Supt. T. Swindall, like the chairman, was also in a happy vein. It rejoiced his heart, he said, to see them that day at the opening of those headquarters. They had been told that a place the size of Rushden ought to have head­quarters of their own. It was easy to give ad­vice in a matter of that kind, but another thing to carry a scheme through. However, during the last twelve months Rushden men and nursing sisters had determined to raise sufficient money to build a place of their own. The division had been going on for about fourteen years, and had worked under great disadvantages. "Where there's a will there's a way," and so they determined to have the place in 1910. They raised £10 by a watch competition, £30 by collections, promoted a donation list which was well supported and brought in over £60, and arranged an archery tournament which brought in £53, making a total of £153. (Applause.) He believed that at first, they said it was only to cost £120, but that sum had now been raised to £220. Various sites were offered, but none free except the present one, and their thanks were due to the Rushden Council for offering them that site. (Hear, hear.) There still remained about £60 or £70 to be raised, and they must not rest, until they had wiped off the whole of the remaining debt. He hoped the ambulance would remain true to its traditions, and that the building would stand as a monument to the energy of the ambulance men of the town. (Applause.)

Opening The Building

Assistant Commission T. H. Woolston was then called upon by the Chairman to declare the building open. He referred to his 21 years’ work with the brigade, and said he was glad indeed to come there on that auspicious occasion.

That was a happy event, both for the division and for the town of Rushden. The Germans were, he supposed, very smart people indeed, and for years they had recognised that first aid was a great insurance not only against death but also against permanent injury, and nearly always lessened the length of time a man would spend in hospital. The Germans thought so much of it that the great friendly societies actually subsidised the first-aid institutions. But they could not learn the business properly unless they had proper materials and proper quarters. It was just as necessary to help a man when he was injured to get better and prevent further injury as it was to put out a fire when a man's house was being burned down. (Hear, hear.) They had an excellent fire brigade with a station and now he congratulated the town on the patriotic action in helping to put the ambulance brigade into proper quarters. If it had not been for the Council of Wellingborough doing so much to provide headquarters in the old days when he commanded the corps it would have been impossible for the men to have turned out with their materials in the smart manner they did on that memorable occasion when they did such excellent work at the Midland Railway accident at Wellingborough. (Hear, hear.) At the present day "good enough" was not sufficient; it must be "the best." The Nursing Sisters would now also have a place where they could keep all their materials, which was very necessary in their work. [the end of the page is missing]