January 1963

Rushden Swimming Club asked the council to consider a roof for the pool.

The new conveyor production system at John White’s reduced the time taken to make a pair of shoes from 3 days to about 3 hours.

February 1963

Unemployment figures were the highest in the area with 331 out of work following redundancies at John White’s and several other factories.

South End Primary School (93 years old) was described as the worst urban school in the county and would be replaced.

Miss G.B.B.“Nurse” Millgate, the Higham Ferrers health visitor for 30 years and head of Rushden Infant Welfare Clinic, retired to her home on the Isle of Wight.

March 1963

Pitsford  Reservoir was at its lowest since it opened.

The New Health Clinic opened in Rectory Road.

April 1963

Rushden Round Table & Royal Air Force Association planned the largest privately sponsored air display at Sywell.

May 1963

There were suggestions that Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, Wilby and Irchester could become a Super Town – “Neneborough”.

June 1963

The Ministry of Transport decided to retain High Street, Rushden, as part of the A6 trunk road. The council had wanted Duck Street or Wellingborough Road and Washbrook Road to be upgraded.

July 1963

Rushden Golf Club drew a large crowd to see Bobby Locke play an exhibition match.

August 1963

Nene Valley Coachworks Ltd won its largest single contract at the International Caravan Exhibition at Earls Court for 400 caravans for Sweden and it was worth £180,000.

September 1963

Mr H.W.Catlin, head of Rushden Secondary School for Boys, won the by‑election.

Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board objected to a proposal by the Ministry of Housing & Local Government for a merger with Mid‑Northants Water Board.

October 1963

Mr H.Valvona, County Road Safety officer, announced that 224 Rushden children had passed the National Cycling Proficiency test since it started in 1961.

The first Rushden, Higham Ferrers & District Chamber of Trade Exhibition was held at the Wesleyan Schoolrooms.

C.W.Horrell and Eaton & Co announced expansion and modernisation plans.

November 1963

It was reported that the cost of the Spencer Park Pavilion which had been estimated at £4,100 could be as much as £7,000 when completed.

December 1963

Dave Clark, the drummer of the Dave Clark Five who topped the charts with “Glad All Over”, opened the new record shop for Clark Bros. Ltd.