January 1927

J Marshall Bailey broadcast an appeal for the week’s good cause, from Daventry.

Rushden Town Football Club reached the top position in Northants League Divisions 1 and 2 and also in the East Midlands League.

The outlook improved in the boot and shoe trade as many operatives were re-engaged.

The First Anniversary of the Court Estate Wesleyan Chapel was held at the bungalow ‘Toxteth’, Avenue Road, where a public tea was held for 30.

All Rushden schools had a shortage of pupils due to chicken pox and measles.  At the same time cinemas opened for matinees and children truants were going to the cinema with those infectious diseases.

The death occurred of Joseph Knight, Shoe Manufacturer.  His father had severed their connection in a music printing business in Rushden run by Rev Jonathan Whittemore of Park Road Baptist Church.

February 1927

Rushden Town Band gave a concert at the Royal Theatre with a string group of professional musicians.  One violinist dropped his bow in a bucket of water just before going on stage and found difficulty then in reaching high notes.

The attention of RUDC was drawn by Chamber of Trade to the number of flower sellers who took up positions near the Coffee Tavern on Friday afternoons.

People were waiting 3 or 4 months for beds at Northampton General Hospital.

H. ‘Tiddley’ Smith entertained at the Annual Seed & Poultry sale at Rushden Co‑op.

Rushden Town won the Northants Senior Cup beating Wellingborough 2 – 1 at Wellingborough.

A change of weather was credited with the fact that only one death had occurred in Rushden, contrasting with the previous 2 months when there had been between 4 and 5 per week.

March 1927

Memories of Rushden Cricket Club: Rushden had produced more county cricketers for Northamptonshire than any other town apart from Northampton; Mr A.H.Sartoris gave the cricket ground to the town in 1891; public opinion agreed it was the second best cricket ground in the county.

An Esperanto group was formed in Rushden.  There were twelve enthusiasts with several ladies in the group.

April 1927

A man was fined for using a steam wagon that did not consume its own smoke as far as possible on the highway.  The reason given in court was that he was unable to get Welsh coal which did not smoke as much as others.

Advert: London Central Meat Co. Ltd. Canterbury lamb legs at 1s.2d per lb, loins at 1s.1d., shoulders at 1 shilling.

Princess Helena Victoria visited Mr & Mrs A.H.Sartoris at Rushden Hall.  They also invited patients from the Sanatorium.

The opening took place of the YMCA by Princess Helena Victoria who was welcomed by the Acting Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire.  Rushden Town Band was in attendance.  It was the first official visit of any British royalty to the town within living memory.  Girl Guides, Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade were in attendance.

Miss Lavinia Scott, former teacher at Newton Road and Headmistress of Alfred Street Infant School, retired.

May 1927

A football injury caused the death of Mr A.W.Skellham who was playing for the Rest of the League vs. Wollaston in the Rushden & District league.

Rushden Town Football Club’s ended their best season in history.  They won the Northants League Divisions 1 & 2; the Northants Senior Cup; Rushden Charity Cup; Northants Thursday Cup; and Peterborough Thursday Cup.

The new Spiritualist Church was opened in Moor Road.

New tennis grass courts were opened at the Baptist Sports Ground by Mr Chappell of Kettering.  He brought with him a bat autographed by Herbert Sutcliff and presented it to the club and suggested it be given to the youngest player with the greatest improvement shown.

June 1927

The first Corpus Christi procession was held at the Catholic Church grounds.  An altar was erected in the summer-house especially for the occasion.

July 1927

There was an outing for employees of George Selwood when 180, including wives and friends, went to the Newport Pagnell area and had luncheon at Aylesbury Town Hall.

The Co‑op gave a tea to all town children on National Co‑operators Day.  The children paraded from Spencer Park led by bands.

A new playing field was opened for Rushden Intermediate School.

August 1927

Rushden ex-footballer, Jack Whitehead, rescued a five year old boy who had fallen from a jetty into the sea.  He dived in to save the boy.

The RUDC considered whether a Newton Road building site should be used for further houses, or a playing field for Newton Road and Alfred Street schools, or allotments.

Boot manufacturers were perturbed by the importation of cheap footwear, especially from Czechoslovakia.

A man stole some towels from the Louvre shop.  He took them to the Police Station and asked to be locked up as he was tired of being on the road.

September 1927

John White’s Sports Club was burgled.  The man responsible was arrested at Bedford and a special sitting of Rushden Petty Sessions was held.  He was remanded for a later decision.

Advert:  CLENSO Washing Powder makes work light – washing white.  Manufactured by H.Harbour, Kings Road, Rushden.

Foot and Mouth was confirmed in the area covering Rushden and Higham Ferrers.

September saw a lower cost of living index figure – it meant that shoe trade wages were to be reduced by 4/-, from 60/- to 56/-.

October 1927

A Rushden boy runaway was found in London by the Salvation Army.  He was employed by John Cave & Son.

Advert:  Wadsworth Bros, Newton Road.  Austin 7 for £135.

There was an outbreak of diphtheria in Rushden.

The film Ben Hur was shown at the Royal Theatre, having come directly from London.

A most interesting lecture was given by Rev J.A.Sutherland regarding Rushden Street and Road names.  It covered the period from 1650 to 1927.

November 1927

Thomas Young, of Durham, was appointed Musical Director of Rushden Temperance Band.  Work was found for him by the Band President, John White.

December 1927

Advert:  Knight & Son – advertise diamond engagement rings from 42 shillings.

Remarkable weather conditions occurred in the district.  People skated to work.  Roads and pavements were like sheets of glass.  There were innumerable accidents.  Doctors set limbs and dressed wounds caused by mishaps.  Nearly every path and road was covered in gravel by the RUDC.

It was possible to speak by telephone to the Continent (e.g. Belgium, France etc.)  Charges were from 6s.6d to Paris, and 22 shillings to Sweden for a 3 minute call.