January 1952

A £5,000 scheme to make Rushden’s cherished old Hall “weatherproof” was underway under the supervision of Professor A.E.Richardson, the expert on restoration work.  Defective stonework was being cut out, nearly the whole roof had to be stripped and tiles and glass were replaced.

February 1952

Rushden’s Council Building was being “elevated”.  Work was in progress to extend the premises along the Newton Road side to provide a second storey.  It would provide the staff with considerably more accommodation, the lack of which had long harassed the Council Offices.  The cost would be around £4,500.

March 1952

Fifty mothers who lived in the Higham Road Estate in Rushden and were concerned about the safety of their children, signed a petition.  They were campaigning for a special bus to take their infant children to and from Alfred Street School which was a mile distant.

April 1952

Cllr.Felce, Chairman of the Housing Committee in Higham Ferrers, spoke of the leakage of council business regarding the letting of council housing.  Although the tenancies were not approved by the full council he told members that tenants’ names had been common knowledge in the town for more than 2 weeks.

May 1952

Shoe manufacturer and honorary Freeman of the Borough, Mr John White, who was not an elected member of the Borough Council, was elected Mayor of Higham Ferrers.

June 1952

Old members of the Windmill Club were taken in 6 coaches on their Whitsun Holiday.

Rushden St.Peter’s Church Summer Fayre was held.  Lorna Foster was Queen of the Flowers.  The fete was held at Eaton Sports Ground.

Mr Sam Ball helped to make Rushden grow for nearly 75 years.  Sam, of 261 Wellingborough Road, worked as a bricklayer and celebrated his 90^th birthday.  In his youth his pay was 6½d. per hour.  Sam worked for R.Marriott for many of these years although he was apprentice with a Woodford firm.  He worked for 75 years but in later years only worked part time.  He also sang in St.Mary’s Church choir for 50 years, having a deep bass voice.

July 1952

Wilkins & Denton perfected a steel toecap which was fitted under the leather toecap of shoes to prevent injuries.  Made of specially tempered metal, it weighed two ounces yet was capable of withstanding a dead weight of 3 tons.

August 1952

Rushden people were quick to note that Rushden had its first ever Policewoman on duty in their midst – but few people had realised that the Rushden Police Station had, in fact, its first husband and wife combination – PC George & WPC Joan Ryves.

September 1952

Rushden area had its own Company of the new Home Guard and, with new headquarters prepared in an annexe at the Queen Victoria, recruiting had started.

October 1952

Thanks to a splendid response, which had never flagged since the first donation was given, Rushden St.Mary’s Church Spire Fund had reached £3,190 and would soon be complete.

November 1952

Expenditure proposed by Rushden Coronation Committee was slashed by £400 at a special meeting of the Rushden Urban District Council.  When estimates totalling £1,650 were presented an amendment to reduce was moved.

December 1952

With the acquisition of a new £1,600 vehicle the Rushden & District Motor Ambulance Association felt that it now offered a service to the public comparable with any town – and better than many – of the same size.  They had two permanent drivers and one voluntary driver.