January 1951

The Rushden Urban District Council was offered a grant of £1,000 (one fifth of the total cost) by the Ministry of Education on condition that Rushden Hall must be used as a Community Centre.

February 1951

A resident of St.Mary’s Avenue complained to the RUDC that light from an all‑night streetlamp penetrated to her bedroom.  RUDC asserted that there were no all‑night lamps in that street.

March 1951

Higham Ferrers Borough Council met to confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough, “being the most honourable distinction which is in their power to bestow” upon Ald H.R.Patenall CC, Ald J.W.Barker, & Mr John White in celebration of the 700th Anniversary of the granting of the first Borough Charter.

April 1951

Boot Operatives Union announced an extra week’s holiday in 1951 to be taken with the existing one week.

May 1951

Knuston Hall, Northants, first Adult Education Centre, got under way when 60 Boot & Shoe Teachers from all parts of England gathered for a Course of Lectures, Discussion Groups and local visits.

June 1951

A new career for local girls was being provided at Colworth House in Sharnbrook situated on an estate of 1,200 acres previously owned by the late Lord Melchett.  Many industrial and research scientists were among the 200 visitors who inspected the centre at the invitation of Lever Bros. Unilever Ltd.

July 1951

A pre-war telephone scheme for the Rushden area – a switch‑over to dialling system – was completed.  After 11 idle years the building erected for an automatic exchange was being equipped and came into operation in October 1951.

August 1951

Rushden & Higham Ferrers Shoeworkers had their first two week Annual Holiday.  The ‘Blackpool Special’ left Higham Railway station at 10.45pm with 11 coaches.  A train left Higham station at 5.30am for London.

September 1951

A play about the life of Archbishop Chichele (the town’s most famous son) provided a worthy and successful finale to the Charter and Festival of Britain celebrations at Higham Ferrers.

October 1951

In the General Election held on the 25th October, Lindgren (Labour) gained 24,113 votes and Parsons (Conservative) 21,912 votes.   George Lindgren held the seat for Labour with a Majority of 2,201.

November 1951

Residents of Hayway, Higham Road and North Street, Rushden, were faced with a mystery that for several weeks defied a solution.  They were annoyed, for each time they switched on their radios they got an ear‑shattering interference instead of the scheduled programme.  Radio engineers confessed themselves beaten.

December 1951

“It was a most thrilling week‑end as a bandsman,” declared a member of the Rushden Temperance Band after broadcasting from Maida Vale and playing at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where 2,000 people responded warmly to a joint concert by the “Temps” and Enfield Central Band.