Ambulance Work
Opening of the New Headquarters at Rushden
The Annual Inspection

Saturday was an important day in the life of 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 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 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, and 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. Eatley; Wollaston, First Officer G. D. Parsons; Ringstead, and Bozeat. The nursing sisters were represented as follow:- Wellingborough, under Lady Supt. Smith; Higham, Lady Supt. Patenall; Rushden, Lady Supt. Miss Margetts; Irthlingborough, Hon. Secretary Miss Bigley. The Assistant Commissioner was accompanied by District Chief Surgeon Audland from Wellingborough; Dr. Baker, Surgeon, Rushden Division; and Dr. J. Crew, Higham. The total number on parade was about 185.

Headed by the Rushden Mission Band, with Drum-Major Rixon from Wellingborough, the brigade and nursing sisters marched through the town to the new headquarters to take part in the opening ceremony. Mr. E. Claridge acted as chairman, and amongst the company present, in addition to those already mentioned, were Councillor Fred Knight, J.P., chairman of the Rushden Urban Council, Councillor J. S. and Mrs. Clipson, Mr. W. B. Sanders, Mr. C. A. K. Green.

The Chairman’s Welcome

The chairman said he was sure they would all feel proud to welcome there that day Assistant Commissioner T. H. Woolston. (Applause.) The long-looked-for day had come at last. Some of them would remember how despondent they were some time ago when they felt they would never get the money for that building, but he told them at the time they would secure the place, and that day they had got it. (Applause.) For the last twelve or eighteen months they had been making great efforts in this matter, and he was glad that those efforts had met with success. (Applause.)

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 Commissioner 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. [part of a longer article]