After submitting samples to the Guildhall Committee, Wilkins and Denton supplied boots to the City of London Imperial Volunteer Corps in South Africa.  The firm also equipped each man with a pair of tan canvas shoes.

February 1900

The “Man in a trance” arrived in Rushden.  At the evening performance at the theatre Mr Wooton was subjected to tests by Prof Kennedy, all designed to wake him.  Even red hot needles under the fingernails did not succeed in this.  The Professor later woke the man.

March 1900

A fire at J.G.Buckle’s (Tailor and Outfitter) premises in the High Street put old thatched cottages in danger.  Firemen Seckington and Colson arrived with the hose cart but the water supply was poor.  The fire cracked the windows of the Railway Tavern but no‑one was injured.

April 1900

An exhibition of gas cooking, heating and lighting apparatus was held in the Public Hall.  The chief feature was the “Eureka” gas cooker demonstrated by Miss Ball, who cooked a dinner of 16 dishes in one hour.

May 1900

The relief of Mafeking was celebrated with a torchlight procession headed by the Fire Brigade and the Cycling Club.  Bells rang, lanterns and bunting were hung, bands paraded playing patriotic airs and the maypole girls danced.  After a speech by Fred Knight, three cheers were given for the Queen.

June 1900

The alms box at St.Mary’s Church was forced open and about 5/- stolen.  A man already in custody on a similar charge in Northampton was seen to enter the Church the previous week.  A tool in his possession fitted the marks on the box.

July 1900

Plans were approved for the building of a Fire Station in Newton Road.

August 1900

The voters lists fixed to the door of the Parish Church were removed by some mischievous person.  The Police had the matter in hand.

September 1900

The corner stone of the New Baptist Chapel was laid in Park Road.  So far, £2,935 of the £5,750 needed for building, had been raised.

October 1900

At the recent general election, Mr F.A.Channing (Liberal) was returned with an increased majority.  He was greeted with enthusiasm on his visit to Rushden and delivered an address from the Vestry Hall steps.

November 1900

The inadequacy of the station was the subject of a complaint from the District Council to the Midland Railway.  It was felt that as one of the best paying short lines on the system it deserved a station worthy of the town and capable of meeting the requirements of the increasing traffic.

December 1900