January 1913

Rushden Urban District Council passed plans for new Electricity Works to be built in Shirley Road for the Rushden and District Electric Supply Company.

The death of Mr George Willmott at the age of 68 was reported; he left a widow, three sons and two daughters.  For the past 30 years Mr Willmott had been engaged in farming at Chelveston, Knuston and Bedford Road, Rushden.  He also had an extensive dairy business and a commodious shop in High Street, Rushden.  Mr Willmott was also a member of the Park Road Baptist Church.

February 1913

To meet an increasing demand for allotments, Rushden Permanent Allotment Association announced that they had purchased land off Washbrook Road for £1,000, to be used as allotments.

At a meeting of the Rushden Urban District Council, Mr Spencer again moved that a further application should be sent to the standing joint committee for Northants, asking for a full Petty Sessional Court for Rushden.

At Rushden Police Court, James Sharpe of no fixed abode was charged with hawking without a licence at Rushden.  The prisoner, who had been hawking collar studs, said he had to do something as he was out of work.  He had one farthing in copper and a quantity of studs and laces.  He was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour.

Northamptonshire County Council elections, Rushden (Northern Division). In an election address, Charles Cross said that he gave his full support to a Petty Sessional Court for Rushden, a Technical Institute for the boot and shoe manufacturers for Rushden and a light railway to link up the various towns and villages in the district.  A trackless tram system also had his support.

March 1913

Plans were passed by Rushden Urban District Council for Mr George Knowleton for a house on the St.Crispin’s Estate, Wellingborough Road, subject to the privy being built in cement, provided with a removable receptacle and placed at least 30 feet from the well.

The Rushden Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites was making excellent headway, the membership during the year having increased from 299 to 380.

Mrs Thomas Clark, formerly of Yelden, who resided with her niece Mrs Holyoake of 34 Spencer Road, Rushden, celebrated her 100th birthday.  Mrs Clark was an old pillow-lace maker.

April 1913

Mr George Skinner was re-elected as church warden in his 97th year.

By a gain of 36 members during the year, the Loyal Oakley Lodge (Rushden) of the Independent Order of Oddfellows had brought up their total membership to 135, and entered their 19th year, with excellent prospects.

Mr Charles Bates JP was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Rushden Urban District Council.  He was a native of Podington.  He started to work at Rushden just before he was 10 years of age and walked to and fro each day for about two years, at that time his wages were 1s.6d per week.

May 1913

After a long debate at Rushden Urban District Council meeting, Mr Bazeley moved that the Council take steps to provide public conveniences for both sexes at Rushden, at the earliest possible date.  The proposition was defeated, only four members voted for the proposition.  At the same Council meeting Mr E.F.Wrighton was granted permission to erect a wooden shed for the storage of potatoes in his garden at the rear of 58 Harborough Road.

June 1913

After a long debate, the Rushden Urban District Council voted by 7 votes to 5 to reject the motion calling for a swimming baths at Rushden.

A balloon passed over Rushden and the district.  From Higham Ferrers and Rushden a splendid view was obtained and many hundreds of people watched it for a long time.  It seemed to hang in the air over Irchester and subsequently it landed in a field in Hardwick Road, Wellingborough.

July 1913

At a meeting of the Rushden Permanent Allotment Holders Association, Mr Surridge mentioned what he considered a rather serious matter, that of gardening on a Sunday.  He admitted that it was on a fine Sunday after a wet week and he asked whether there was a rule forbidding such work and, if not, he would like to know the opinion of the members on the subject  Personally he thought that the Association should not condone such practice.  The Chairman said that he did not think there was much Sunday work done, therefore no action was taken on the matter.

August 1913

The bookings from Rushden Railway Station during the holiday weekend were larger than ever before.  On Monday the bookings were London 53 and Castle Ashby 158.  On Tuesday: Clacton 483, Yarmouth 137, Blackpool 29, Liverpool & Manchester 48, Matlock 90 and Leicester 145.  Wednesday: Hunstanton 100 and Wellingborough 90.

Rushden people heard with intense delight of the great innings by W.H.Denton, one of the celebrated Rushden cricketing twins, playing last week for Northampton at Leyton against Essex.  Going in first and carrying his bat he compiled the magnificent total of 230.  During the innings he completed 1,000 runs for the first time in his career.

The Chairman of Rushden and Higham Trade Council moved, “that we urge upon the Rushden Urban Council in the interests of public health, more adequate watering of the public streets”.  He said that tradesmen’s goods and food stuffs were covered with dust if windows were left open and those living in the streets used by the buses dare not open their windows for fresh air.  Mr Fletcher seconded and said that considering the Water Board had tons of water going to waste they might be more liberal with it on the roads.  The resolution was carried.

September 1913

The prolonged drought of August, which had been a source of grave anxiety to the authorities responsible for the water supply to numerous towns throughout the country, had caused no trouble whatever to the members of the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Joint Water Board.  Before the rains came there were no fewer than 227 million gallons of water impounded in the Sywell reservoir.

Once again Rushden prepared for the time honoured annual Feast and Mr Charles Thurston, king of amusement purveyors, had provided ample entertainment for his manifold patrons.  Seldom a year passed but his fertile mind provided some new novelty or attraction.  The Feast was held in Marriott’s field, with space for 10,000 people.

By the death of Mrs Sartoris of Rushden Hall the whole town of Rushden and district around was bereaved.  Mrs Sartoris, who was the widow of the late Mr Frederick Sartoris, died at the advanced age of 96 years.

October 1913

The new bakery erected by the Rushden Co‑operative Society on a site adjacent to Newton Road and Park Road was practically complete.

The final thanks offering day in connection with the building fund of the High Street Independent Wesleyan Church, was held in the Queen Street schools.  The building was commenced in 1898 and completed in 1900 at the cost, with furnishings, of £3,550.  The offering was £241.15s.3d, the sum aimed at being £211.  The debt was therefore cleared and there was £30 in hand.

The formal opening of the Co‑operative Society’s new bakery in Newton Road, Rushden, was held.  Representatives of the General Committee, employees, members of the CWS, workers and delegates from the neighbouring societies assembled at the railway bridge and, headed by the Rushden Temperance Band, marched via High Street and Newton Road to the new bakery premises for the opening ceremony.

November 1913

The formal opening of the works of the Rushden Electricity Supply Company took place when shareholders, together with members of the Rushden Urban District Council and the Higham Ferrers Town Council, were entertained by the Directorate of the works.  The machinery was started and the visitors made a thorough inspection of the works under the supervision of Mr G.H.Jackson MIEE MIME, Chief Engineer.  The guests were entertained to tea, the beverages having been brewed and baked by electricity.

December 1913

Plans were passed for a shoe factory for Messrs George Selwood in Harborough Road, Rushden.