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January 1940
Large official notices reminded readers to “Register now for meat”. Consumers were free to choose any butcher but had to be registered by January 8th.
February 1940
The task of fitting Rushden’s 800 under-fives with gas masks was commenced when mothers attended the Infant Welfare Centre in Queen Street.
March 1940
The whole of the extensive tract of ground lying between Highfield Road and the Windmill Club was to be used for the cultivation of fruit and vegetables. Mr.S.A..Lawrence, headmaster of Alfred Street Schools, was given the task of disposing of the land which was owned by the County Education Committee.
April 1940
‘Mr Cobbler’, in his weekly piece in the press, urged readers to visit the Hall Grounds and admire the daffodils. He referred to “The Little Museum” in Rushden Hall and concluded “Rushden Hall is definitely the town’s trump card”.
May 1940
Higham Ferrers’ Mayor was eager to amalgamate. “Fusion with Rushden” was seen as the “only solution to the Borough’s difficulties”.
June 1940
Two Rushden Salvation Army Officers who met on a Flanders’ beach, their first contact for a long time, returned safely to England.
Churches held daily meetings after the collapse of France.
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July 1940
Rushden awaited the completion of a 450 person shelter while school shelters were forbidden to the public, even after school hours. [This ban was lifted after protests].
August 1940
It was proposed to form a Citizens’ Advice Bureau in an effort to preserve civilian morale.
War conditions prevented a formal opening for Rushden’s new Post Office. Although not as ornate as the one vacated, it was reported to be bomb-proof and offered more convenience on both sides of the counter. “The customer even sits down to write telegrams.”
September 1940
Rushden and Higham Ferrers needed less than a fortnight to subscribe £5,000 for a Spitfire, thereby setting a whirlwind pace for other towns in the county. A list of donors included: “results of a bet, Rushden 2/6d”, and “Pensioner Rushden 2 shillings”.
October 1940
“The fury and evil of war broke suddenly upon a small Midlands industrial town on Thursday morning bringing the horror of Nazidom to workers and school children, searing streets with dust and rubble of destruction.” [Extract from censored newspaper report of the bombing raid on the centre of Rushden which included Alfred Street Schools].
November 1940
It was reported that Mr John White was the unnamed donor of a new recreation hall for Rushden Sanatorium. He engaged Prof. Richardson, a well known architect, to design the building and was prepared to go beyond his original donation of £1,000 if necessary.
December 1940
The Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board agreed a cut from 1% to 0.5%. “Soon we shall have to pay the bank to look after our money,” said Councillor Allebone.
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