Rushden TB After-Care Committee

Social Events

Photo of Rushden San prepared for a social

Annual Party

On 21 January 1950 the committee, in co-operation with the Higham TB Care committee, organised a party and entertainment for the patients and staff of the San. “This was made possible by the generous financial help and other gifts from organisations and friends, and by the high standard of entertainment given by the artistes who offered their services.” The party became a regular annual event, the 1961 report recalling that “On 21 January we joined the Higham Ferrers TB Care Committee for the annual party to patients and staff of the San. After tea, at which entertainment was provided by Charles and his band, a concert was given by Kettering Operatic Society members.”  In 1963, January 19 was the date of the annual tea and concert for patients and staff, and “despite it being one of the worst days of the winter, the occasion was still a happy one. Two large iced cakes were provided by the Higham Ferrers Committee and after tea a concert was given by members of the Rushden Pantomime.”  In 1970, however, the committee had to report that although the tea and concert had been such a feature of their work for 20 years, with sadness they had accepted that the event had outgrown its original purpose. With the change in the type of patients treated at the Hospital, there were fewer of the long term cases for which the party was intended. In addition, owing to staff problems, it had become customary for the majority of patients to go home at weekends. The committee hoped to arrange something on a week day for patients later in the year.

Car Rides and Picnics

In 1954 the practice began of taking patients out for a car ride in the country, ending up with a supper. In this year, the event was on 18 June and the picnic supper took place at Podington. 24 patients enjoyed an evening car run round the countryside on 24 June the following year, culminating again in a picnic supper at Podington. In 1956 the help of the Concord Motor Club enabled patients to be taken on two evening drives. In 1968 patients were taken on a coach trip to Great Barford for supper and a decade later in 1978 the committee reported that for a number of years it had been customary to have a country coach ride and supper but this year “it was decided to invite patients and their families to tea and entertainment in the Day Centre of the Hospital. This was held on 30 September. Members of the Committee provided transport, the ladies put on an excellent tea and Mr C Jones an enjoyable entertainment.” Sadly, in 1981 the September tea and entertainment was not held as most patients were not well enough to attend.

Pantomime

In the 1950’s children began to be taken to the Pantomime at Christmas. “On Christmas Eve 1955 Mr Anniwell again arranged for a party of children to visit the pantomime in Bedford.” Events in 1968 included a visit to the Rushden Pantomime for 17 patients and guests.

Coffee Evening

A Coffee Evening in the grounds of the Sanatorium on 3 July 1961 was attended by the Rushden Industrial Queen, Miss Elizabeth Syme and her attendants, and raised £88.

Harvest Festivals

In 1965 a period of close association with Alfred Street Schools began. “ A very happy occasion was the Harvest Festival at Alfred Street Schools to which several members of the committee were invited. Scholars helped in the distribution of the fruit and vegetables to the Rushden Hospital and to patients in the town.”  In 1968 Harvest Festival again took place at Alfred Street Schools where gifts were distributed to the Hospital and 29 patients. In 1988 co-operation with Alfred Street Schools continued – pupils ran a cake stall at the At Home, took Harvest Festival gifts to chest patients and senior citizens and brought their 50 strong school choir to sing carols to patients in the hospital.

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