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January 1909
The annual dinner for the members of the Rushden Trades Club and Institute was held in the large room. A large number sat down to a good spread, under the presidency of Mr Clipson. The following day the children’s tea took place, after which a concert was held, one of the principal items being selections on the gramophone.
The first old age pensions were issued at the Post Office. The first person receiving in Rushden was Mr George Smith. The successful applicants for the pension were entertained to a tea and social gathering by the Rushden Liberal Association at the Alfred Street Council Schools. 48 men and 47 women sat down to a high tea, and a whip-round realised a sovereign which provided a good stock of cigars for the men and confectionery for the women.
The Sanitary Inspector reported to the Rushden Urban Council that a number of properties were not provided with sufficient ashpits or other receptacles for the deposit of refuse. In a great majority of cases the only receptacles were old tin pails or sugar boxes.
Due to the slippery state of the ground, a horse belonging to Mr W.C.Wilmott and drawing a cart loaded with sand slipped and fell in Midland Road on the slope leading to High Street. In doing so it broke the left shaft and was unable to rise until the harness had been removed and the cart emptied of the sand.
February 1909
At a football match on the Fosse ground, a collection was made on behalf of C.Bryant, who received injuries when playing the previous Saturday, and £1.17s.6d was realised.
A deficiency of £49 on the general account of the Park Road Baptist Church at the end of 1908 was cleared in response to an appeal by the Pastor.
A public enquiry was held on a proposed widening of Rectory Road, from Queen Street to Portland Road. The Council proposed to acquire the property on the corner of Queen Street, occupied by Mr Betts the florist, in order to construct at 36ft road. The CWS asked for £180 for the land they were to give up. There was also a house and shop and cottages belonging to Mr Claridge who was prepared to sell the property for £720. A decision was to be made known at a later date.
Films of an exceptional character were secured for the Temperance Band’s concerts, most of them never having been previously seen on a machine, either in Rushden or elsewhere. Mr S.Powell visited London to select the very best films on the market.
The balance sheet of the Sick and Benefit Club connected with the employees of Messrs John Cave & Sons Ltd, Rushden, showed that receipts for the year were £187.15s.2d, and sick pay amounted to £100.17s.3½d.
Messrs Cox & Co, of Rushden, offered a free trial of their latest Britannia slugging machine to manufacturers, and to make a present of it to any manufacturer who could find one to beat it. The firm had already supplied 16 machines in Rushden and Higham Ferrers alone.
The Rushden Women’s Liberal Association held a dance and whist drive in the Co‑operative Hall. There were about 100 present, and the whist drive resulted as follows:– Gents, 1st prize, Mr Adams (set of waistcoat buttons); consolation, Mr W.I.Sargent (silver pencil); Ladies, 1st prize, Miss G.Colson (silver hat pins); consolation, Mrs J.R.Brooke (purse).
The last of a series of animated picture exhibitions by the Imperial Bioscope Company, under the auspices of the Rushden Temperance Band, took place in the Public Hall. The lanternist, Mr S.Powell, had paid a personal visit to London in order to secure the latest and best films, and obtained some of the finest living pictures ever seen in this part of the country. Pictures shown included: winter scenes in Sweden, a Scottish waterfall, Cinderella, William Tell, and the preparation of living pictures.
In spite of a dry month the Surveyor reported to the Higham Ferrers & Rushden Water Board that the level of the reservoir had risen since the last report, and the quantity of water impounded was estimated at 164 million gallons.
A large boiler, weighing over 18 tons, was conveyed from the MR station to the CWS boot factory. A traction engine was used for drawing the boiler, the route taking it along High Street, round by Ward’s Corner and into Newton Road, and thence along Rectory Road. Crowds of people watched the removal of the gigantic concern, particularly the manoeuvres which were necessary in negotiating Ward’s Corner.
The death was recorded of a well-known character, Johnny Rainbow. At one time he was in business for himself in Rushden, but of late years had been greatly reduced in circumstances. On several occasions he was taken to the workhouse but would not remain there.
Rushden Windmill Football Club was to have entertained Fletton, but the match did not come off. The Fletton team started from Peterborough to come to Rushden, but unfortunately they got into the wrong train and found themselves at Kings Cliffe. It was then quite impossible for them to get to Rushden in time and they were obliged to wire the match off.
March 1909
Mr C.Court, who had been a porter at the Rushden MR station for nine years, was presented with a fountain pen and a cigarette holder in case, by Mr Pitt (station master) on behalf of the station staff on the occasion of his leaving for Canada.
The shield offered to Juvenile Tents by the Northants District of the Independent Order of Rechabites for the largest increase of members during the year was won by the “Morning Star” Tent, Rushden, with an increase of 50%. The shield was shown for a few days in the window of Mr B.Vorley, Newton Road, Rushden.
The 27th annual meeting of the shareholders of the Coffee Tavern Company Ltd was held, Mr John Claridge presiding. The directors reported that the receipts from the bar, hotel, etc, had been equal to that of any previous year. The Public Hall had been thoroughly renovated at a cost of £80, and they did not feel justified in recommending a dividend of more that 2½%. Messrs W. Clarke, J.T.Colson, and A.Clayton were elected directors.
A report by the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Gas Co, showed that the gas made in 1904 was 99,555,000 cubic feet; in 1905, 96,892,000; in 1906, 99,001,200; in 1907, 99,376,000; and in 1908, 101,613,000.
The hoarding put up to keep people from falling into the excavations for the enlargement of the CWS factory fell down as the result of a slip of about 100 tons of earth.
The Fire Brigade Sub‑committee reported that, in consequence of some defects which had developed in the boiler tubes of the steam fire engine, it had been found necessary to ask Messrs Shand Mason & Co., the makers, to send a representative to Rushden to fit in new tubes.
The Sanitary Inspector reported a nuisance at the stables at the rear of the Victoria Hotel by pigs being kept on the manure pit there.
As the result of a congregational subscription a new statue of St.Joseph was acquired to replace the one of rather smaller dimensions at St.Peter’s Catholic Church where it was unveiled and blessed.
Undoubtedly one of the finest displays of animated pictures yet exhibited in Rushden were shown at the Public Hall by Prof.Wood, the popular and well-known phrenologist and entertainer, from Douglas, Isle of Man. The steadiness and clear definition of the pictures thrown on the screen was attributed to the fact that electric light was used in the lantern, the power being provided by a 10hp petrol engine and dynamo which the Professor carried with him from place to place.
The Central Machinery Company, of Irthlingborough purchased the plot of ground at the corner of Victoria Road and Rectory Road, adjoining the factory of Messrs E.Claridge & Sons Ltd, for the purpose of removing their works to Rushden.
The Local Government Board sanctioned the borrowing by the Rushden Council of £1,000 for the purpose of carrying out the Rectory Road improvement.
April 1909
A horse belonging to Mr Draper, of Higham Ferrers, whilst being driven in High Street, Rushden, was startled by a dog and bolted up Coffee Tavern Lane. The driver, quite unable to hold the horse, stuck to his seat on the box as the animal continued at a terrific pace along Rectory Road towards Queens Street, and luckily escaped unhurt although the horse ran into a wall smashing the front wheels and axle of the brougham which the horse was pulling.
Father Waldie, of St.Peter’s Catholic Church, announced that he had received a communication from his Lordship the Bishop of Northampton, stating that, on account of the spread of influenza in many parts of the country, the Holy See had granted discretionary powers to the Bishops in regard to fasting and abstinence during the rest of Lent. In virtue of this authority, the Bishop dispensed the faithful of the diocese from all except the Friday abstinence.
A new Golf Club was formed in Rushden and the links were situated in the fields at the back of the late Mr Thomas Bromage’s house in Upper Queen Street. The course was 2,500 yards round, comprising nine holes with greens of a good size. Over forty ladies and gentlemen joined immediately and were able to use the Thursday Cricket Club pavilion.
After three months’ experience of the working of the Old Age Pensions Act there had been 117 claims in the parish of Rushden. Of these, all were allowed except seven, 93 of the recipients having 5/- [25p] a week, with 6 at 4/-, 3 at 3/-, 6 at 2/-, and 2 at 1/- [5p].
The work of the Board of Arbitration in the boot and shoe trade in the Rushden, Higham Ferrers, and Irthlingborough district was reported upon at a meeting of the local branch of the Boot and Shoe Operatives’ Union, held at the Trade Union Club, Rushden. The workmen’s side of the Board had claimed a minimum of 30/- a week in all departments but, as a result of the negotiations, the minimum for clickers was to be raised from 26/- a week to 28/- for the first year and then to 29/- a week for the following two years. In the last and finishing departments, the 27/- a week was to be increased by 1/- a week for the first year and by 2/- a week for the two years following. For pressmen and sole cutters the minimum was to be 28/- a week and 26/- for the rough-stuff workers.
Mr Skinner was elected Chairman of Rushden Urban District Council.
A public tea, to which a large number sat down, was held in the Salvation Army Barracks, Queen Street, Rushden, on Easter Monday, there being present members of the surrounding Corps. The band paraded the town in the afternoon and open air meetings were held at intervals. After the tea a musical evening was much enjoyed. The proceeds amounted to £2.4s.1½d.
On Easter Monday 107 passengers booked by the Midland Railway to London, 58 to Leicester, 26 Nottingham, 153 Bedford, 74 Northampton, and 9 Birmingham. On the Tuesday 36 booked to Birmingham, and on Wednesday 1,068 booked to Wellingborough.
Rev J.Wardle Stafford, of Scarborough, at the Park Road Wesley Guild, Rushden, lectured on ‘England 100 years hence’. “How do we judge the position of a nation?” he asked. “The tests are its commercial intellectual, domestic and religious tests. England 100 years hence will be largely what the young people present tonight and others like them determine to make it.”
The Rushden Education Sub‑committee approved the transference of Mr S.Saddler from the Alfred Street boys’ school to the new school at North End.
It was reported that the fields at the back of the new golf links off Upper Queen Street, Rushden, were being infested by gangs of men and lads playing cards for money.
Mr Charles Church, a one time half-back in the old Rushden Town Football Club, was the recipient of a pleasing testimonial at the Waverley Hotel, prior to his leaving Rushden for Canada. Mr C.Claridge, himself an old Rushden and County player, referred to Mr Church’s services to local sport and asked him to accept a purse of money and an address.
The County Council agreed to contribute half the cost, about £60, towards tarring the main street from Harborough Road to the front of the Victoria Hotel.
Rushden Co-operative Society announced they were obliged to raise the price of a loaf of bread from 5½d to 6d.
Fred Croot, of Rushden, again signed on for Leeds City Football Club.
Mr Alec West, a member of the Rushden Temperance Band for over 20 years, left Rushden to take the position of solo tenor horn in Foden’s Waggon Works Band, Sandbach, Cheshire. Mr West’s ability as a tenor horn soloist was well-known in band circles and secured him the appointment from among fifty applicants.
Fifteen rabbits and a number of nets and pegs were found by PS Ellingham and PC Jowers on three men who entered Rushden by the Bedford Road. They were described as well-known poachers.
May 1909
By defeating the Northampton United Trades Club at whist by 19:16, Rushden Windmill won the shield of the Northants Club Union.
At a meeting of the Rushden and Higham District Band of Hope Union, Mr G.W.Button was presented with a morocco‑bound copy of “Gems of National Poetry”, in recognition of his services in visiting the Bands of Hope in the district in connection with the lantern lectures.
The Northants County Council has granted an application from the Rushden Urban Council for a contribution towards the cost of tar painting parts of the main roads through Rushden with a view to preventing excessive dust arising from motor traffic. It was agreed to pay Rushden half the cost (£30).
At a meeting of the Managers of the Rushden Council Schools, Mr J.T.Colson presiding, it was decided to recommend to the County Educational Committee the following appointments to the new school at the North End:– Mr S.Saddler as headmaster; Mr Newham, Mr Allen, Miss Matthews, Miss Dring, and Miss Osborne as certified assistants; and Miss Nellie Groome as uncertified assistant.
Mr John Scott, for 34 years sexton of Rushden St.Mary’s Church, died in his 82nd year.
It was reported that Mr George Skinner, whose recent re-election as churchwarden for Rushden in his 93rd year caused widespread interest, manifestly enjoyed a ride in a motor car.
At a meeting of the Rushden Urban Council the annual report of the Fire Brigade was submitted, from which it appeared that the Brigade had only received one call during the year 1908.
Two promising Rushden cricketers, J.S.Denton and W.H.Denton, were selected as amateur players for the county.
June 1909
The Rushden Fire Brigade took second prize at the Kettering Hospital Parade in the hose‑cart competition. The Irthlingborough Town Band and the Higham Ferrers Town Band took part in the procession. The successful Rushden Team was composed of Firemen Wildman, Sparrow, Whiting, and Britchford, and their time for the drill was 31¼ secs, which was ¼ sec more than the winners.
The two Dentons – J.S. and W.H. – were selected to play for Northants against Gloucestershire. This was W.H. Denton’s first experience of county cricket.
Two of the Rushden bands – the Temps and the Volunteers – paraded the town in aid of the funds of the Guild of Help for the Unemployed. The sum raised was £4.4s.0d. The town had been divided into three districts, the Temperance, Volunteer, and Mission Bands having promised to take a district each.
A garden party in connection with the Baptist Dorcas Society was held in the grounds of Mr and Mrs W.B.Sanders, Hayway. Tea was provided by the kindness of Mrs Geo. Willmott, and about 100 sat down, the party afterwards adjourning to the North End Council Schools where an entertainment was greatly enjoyed.
A disastrous fire broke out at Higham Ferrers resulting in the destruction of the currying factory of Mr R.B.Sanders and of an old thatched cottage adjoining. The fire started in the back part of the factory, which was the last block of buildings in Higham on the road to Irthlingborough. The buildings were formerly used for the Higham gasworks before the works were erected in Shirley Road, Rushden.
Henry Packwood, an employee of Mr A.T.Nichols, plumber, Rushden, met with an accident during the erection of new buildings for the CWS. He was climbing a trestle which was standing on uneven ground, with the result that the trestle overbalanced and he was precipitated to the floor, falling about eight feet. Although he was severely shaken and was unconscious for nearly half-an‑hour his injuries were not serious.
Messrs Hobbs, of Irthlingborough, whose factory had recently been destroyed by fire, took over the factory in Sartoris Road, Rushden, lately occupied by Messrs Ellard.
In recognition of his valuable services as pianist to the Independent Wesleyan Gymnasium Class, Mr Lindsey Clipson was presented by the members with three volumes of music for the organ.
At an auction sale at the Coffee Tavern the first lot comprised the freehold boot factory at the corner of Manton Road and Grove Street [Road], Rushden, containing three floors, with 6hp gas engine, etc, and at the rear a riveting shop; also the villa residence adjoining, with garden and lawn, lately in the occupation of Mr M.V.Burrows. Bidding commenced at £600. At £925 the property was withdrawn, but was subsequently sold privately to Mr Alfred Clayton, boot manufacturer. Fourteen plots of freehold building land on the Rock Estate were offered, but were not sold.
The CWS at Rushden made 34,493 more pairs of boots during the last quarter than in the corresponding quarter of 1908.
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July 1909
An exhibition of artificial flowers, the work of the blind and crippled girls connected with the Watercress and Flower Girls’ Christian Mission, Clerkenwell, London, was held in the Public Hall, Rushden.
Eight claims for Old Age Pension were dealt with by the sub‑committee of the Rushden, Irchester, and Wollaston District.
The new terms of settlement in the boot and shoe trade came into operation on July 5th. The only firms in the district who had adopted the 52½ hours’ week were Messrs John Cave and Sons Ltd, of Rushden, and the Higham Ferrers Co‑operative Productive Society.
A fine attraction at the shop of Mr J.Bugby, fish merchant, Rushden, was the display of no fewer that 15 splendid salmon, from 15 to 20 lbs each, besides other kinds of fish. The salmon was all sold out, with the exception of half a fish, by two o’clock the same day.
The Juvenile Free Gardeners, about 130 in number, had their annual outing to Bedford, conveyed in brakes supplied by Mr Asher Abbott. On arriving at Bedford, tea was partaken of at the YMCA rooms, after which the young folk were taken on the river in steam launches.
Rushden cyclists invaded Bedford to attend the Regatta. All along the road could be found contingents of wheelers making their way thither, among them being the Thursday, Athletic, and Clarion Clubs. After the races were over, various parties had the opportunity of disporting themselves on the river, and cut figures more or less graceful.
At a special meeting of the Higham Ferrers School Managers it was unanimously resolved to recommend the appointment of Mr Frank Margetts, of Warmington, near Oundle, to the position of headmaster of the Council Schools, vacant through the death of Mr G.Hustwaite. Mr Margetts, 36 years of age, a Rushden man, had been pupil teacher in the Rushden National Schools.
To make a fitting finale to the united school treats at Rushden, Mr S.Powell, photographer, had some effective illuminations with the aid of a search-light at about 9.30pm. From the balcony above his shop, Mr Powell threw the search-light on to the Parish Church, the bank, and other buildings, making them stand out with conspicuous clearness in the dusk. When the passenger train passed over the railway bridge, Mr Powell directed the light in that direction, considerably startling the engine driver and the passengers for the moment.
At the half-yearly meeting of the Rushden Co‑operative Society the balance-sheet showed the trade done was £22,131 and the net profit £2,342.
At a meeting of the Cycle Parade Committee, it was reported that the Midland Railway Co. had agreed to issue return tickets from Leicester, Kimbolton, Luton, Northampton, and intermediate stations at a fare-and-quarter (minimum 1 shilling).
On July 16th, Mrs Sartoris, of Rushden Hall, celebrated her 92nd birthday.
The half‑yearly meeting of the Higham Ferrers Co-operative Society was attended by about 60 members. The balance‑sheet showed that the sales amounted to £2740.5s.6d and there was a profit balance on the trading account of £253.17s.10½d.
Discoveries in connection with the old chapel at Higham Ferrers and the laying bare of mural paintings in Wymington Church aroused interest in the founding of a local branch of Archaeological Society in Rushden and district.
As the driver of the 7.50am train from Wellingborough was reversing his engine at Higham Ferrers a spark fell on to a huge hay stack between the Midland Railway station and the goods shed. But for the smart turn-out and the untiring efforts of the Higham Ferrers Fire Brigade two adjoining stacks would also have been destroyed.
August 1909
The annual treat to the children of the members of the Windmill Club took place. About 300 children were entertained to tea in the club grounds, after which an adjournment was made to the cricket field, where an impromptu programme of sports was successfully carried out.
The children of the members of the Athletic Club were given their annual treat. Tea was provided on the lawns, to which about 500 sat down, the wives of the members of the committee acting as waiters. Afterwards various amusements and sports were provided in a field in Newton Road. At dusk the young people were each presented with a stick of “Athletic rock” and a bun.
The Rushden UDC Surveyor reported that the cost of tar painting the High Street from Manning’s Lane to the Queen Victoria Hotel amounted to £40.8s.11d, towards which the County Council would contribute one half.
The Council were informed that a Rushden landlord was ignoring their requirement to provide portable receptacles for refuse. Some houses had been provided with wooden tubs tarred on the outside, whilst others had a wooden box, or an untarred wooden barrel, or no provision at all. Notices were being served requiring respective owners to provide a suitable receptacle, otherwise the Council would provide for each house a portable galvanised ash-bin with a tight-fitting lid, and taken the necessary steps to recover the expenses incurred.
An accident occurred in High Street, Rushden, as Mr Harry Scroxton was driving a trap through the town. When near the turn leading to the Rushden railway station the horse shied at some pigs which were being driven round the corner from the Station Hill. Mr Scroxton was unable to keep control of the animal and the trap was dashed into one of the iron enclosed young trees at the side of the road, throwing him and his passenger to the ground.
September 1909
A very strange mistake was made in the Rushden Town vs. Walgrave cricket match. Walgrave set the Rushden team 110 to tie. The Rushden players, with nine wickets down, were under the impression that they had made 111, and play was stopped at the call of the umpires just before 7pm. On going carefully through the scores, however, it was found that Rushden had only made 107 for nine wickets! What was supposed to have been the winning hit for Rushden was made by Donald Denton, the youngest cricketer in the famous cricketing family, who was only about 12 years of age.
150 employees of Messrs Nurrish & Pallet, boot and shoe manufacturers, Rushden, had their annual outing to Woburn Sands. Dinner was provided in a marquee during a short stay at Newport Pagnell, and again tea on the return journey, after which followed a concert. The party reached home about 2am.
Considerable damage was caused to several bicycles belonging to hands at Mr Owen Parker’s factory at Higham Ferrers. It was found that the tyres of the machines stored in a shed were on fire, but were speedily extinguished by the aid of the fire buckets. The cause of the conflagration was probably due to someone knocking his pipe out over the celluloid gear‑case.
Significant dissatisfaction was felt amongst some of the employees at the Co‑operative Wholesale Society’s boot factory at Rushden owning to a number of the workpeople having been dismissed through slackness of work. The general opinion was that it would have been better for all to have worked short time until trade became brisker.
A general meeting of the Rushden Temperance Band was called, seven members having broken the rules of temperance, and these defaulting members were asked to resign.
Mr S.Tuck, of Rushden, grew a potato which weighed no less that 1 lb 10 oz. It was of the Duke of York variety, which had a fine skin and was of good flavour, and made two dinners for three persons.
An accident occurred at the L&NW station at Higham Ferrers when a porter named Reid was engaged in shunting wagons into the shed. He attached the horse to a wagon, and drew the latter to the shed, the door of which was closed. A few yards before he got to the shed he unhooked the horse and caught hold of the brake to stop the wagon. Evidently he had not applied the brake soon enough, for he was caught between the wagon and the door. Fortunately the wagon had practically stopped and Reid escaped with bruises.
A balloon passed over the district and attracted a great deal of attention in Rushden and Higham. With the aid of field glasses it was seen that the car of the balloon contained at least two passengers.
The employees of Messrs Jaques and Clark had their annual outing, journeying by excursion train to London, leaving Rushden at 6.30am. The day was spent in various ways, many of the excursionists visiting the Exhibition. One of the great attractions at night was Mr Harry Lauder, the Scottish comedian, at the Euston Music Hall. The return train left London at 12.53, and Rushden was reached about 3.30am.
At Rushden Feast, alongside all the usual attractions, was Mr Charles Thurston’s magnificent bioscope entertainment. The clear definition and remarkable steadiness of the pictures thrown on the screen surpassed anything previously seen in the town. In F.Harvey’s boxing booth was Hal Prescoe, a gentleman with a digestion that permitted him to swallow no less than three swords at a time. In a special exhibition for the “Rushden Echo”, Mr Prescoe swallowed a pair of fire tongs, and then borrowed the Pressman’s walking‑stick and transferred about two feet of it down his throat.
October 1909
Whilst threshing operations were in progress at Mr K.Flintham’s farm‑yard, High Street, Higham Ferrers, an accident happened to Mr T.Wright, of No.24 High Street, and who was employed as engine driver for Mr L.Parsons, threshing machine proprietor. He was attending to the adjustment at the main pulley while the threshing machine was still in motion and the spanner which he was using slipped and his arm was caught in the main pulley, breaking both bones in his forearm.
A 16 months‑old baby, out in a push-cart in the charge of its sister, aged nine, received fatal injuries when the cart toppled over the edge of the high causeway in High Street South, Rushden.
A melancholy-looking man applied at a house in Rushden for assistance in the “fall” of the year. “I haven’t done any work for months,” he said. “What trade to you follow?” asked the householder. “I’m a haymaker”, was the reply.
A special treat for the Rushden public was provided by the world‑famous Walturdaw Bioscope Company in the Public Hall. Interest on this occasion was high owing to the enormous success of the new system of projecting pictures on to the screen, giving clearer definition and entirely doing away with the oscillation usually associated with exhibitions of animated photography. The pictures were projected by a powerful electric arc light with twin carbons, the current being supplied by a 12hp petrol motor and dynamo. Mr Bernard Tomkins (tenor) was specially engaged for this concert.
At a special meeting of School Managers at Higham Ferrers, the applications for the positions of certificated assistant master and certified assistant mistress in the schools were considered. No less than 165 applications were received.
An auction took place at the Waverley Hotel of the residence known as “The Shrubbery”, lately in the occupation of Mr Paul Cave, deceased. The property did not include the south‑west portion of the garden. Bidding started at £1,000 and the property was sold for £1,200 to Mr James Hyde.
November 1909
Collections were made on the Rushden Fosse and Rushden Windmill football grounds for the benefit of E.Davis, who was injured while playing for the Fosse against the Windmill. About two guineas was raised.
At a meeting of the Rushden, Higham Ferrers, and Wellingborough Arbitration Board it was decided unanimously that a week’s notice be given by either employer or workman to terminate an engagement, and it was also decided that the notice must be given on a payday.
Alderman Owen Parker was elected Mayor of Higham Ferrers for a third successive year of office.
An accident occurred to Mr Max Stringer who was engaged with another in pushing an iron pipe through the wall of Mr B.Ladd’s factory in Moor Road when a brick fell from the wall, striking him on the base of the skull. Luckily Mr Skinner was wearing a cloth cap at the time and the blow only caused a slight concussion of the brain.
December 1909
At a meeting of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Branch of the Independent Labour Party held in the Alfred Street schools, a resolution was passed in favour of the total abolition of the House of Lords.
The annual meeting of the Pig Club was held. The receipts included balance in hand £17.9s.9d, entrance fees and insurance on pigs £14.13s.6d; and the expenditure included £27.5s.0d paid to members for losses on pigs. Owing to the severe weather in the first part of the year the losses had been very heavy.
A largely attended meeting of delegates from various organisations was held in the Newton Road schools to consider the desirableness of forming a Local Parliament for Rushden. The meeting was convened by the Rushden branch of the Workers’ Education Association, and a committee was appointed to take preliminary steps in the formation of such a “House”.
A serious gas explosion occurred at the home of Councillor Frank Walker, of Higham Ferrers. Having woken in the early hours and noticing a smell of gas, Mr Walker went to the sitting-room where he struck three or four matches low down in the room, without any effect. He struck one higher up and immediately there was a terrible bang. Mr Walker was thrown across the room with his hair singed. Most of the windows were broken and some of the glass flew to a distance of 20 yards. The outer wall of the house was pushed over an inch out of the perpendicular. Half the front door was found in the road, the stair-rods were all displaced, and the piano and carpets were covered with ceiling plaster. Great cracks were visible all over the house.
Rushden Skating Rink opened on Christmas Eve in the Drill Hall, with a rock maple floor, high‑class ball‑bearing skates, and a band in attendance.
At Wellingborough Police‑court two Rushden youths were summoned for sliding on ice in the street, to the danger of the public, and were fined 2s.6d. [12½p] and costs each.
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