January 1967

Rushden telephone system changed to Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) system which enabled Rushden’s 2,300 subscribers to dial many of their own trunk calls just as they did with local calls.

Mr E.Randall, treasurer, announced at the monthly meeting of Rushden TB After Care committee that the total received from the Christmas Seal sale to date was £393.12s.9d.

After being in existence since 1923 the Rushden United Social Club at the Rushden Adult Schools was due to close.

The Americans returned to Chelveston USAF base under their commander Col. George Le May.

February 1967

The creak of baked asbestos could be heard as far away as Irchester when the extra production line of Nene Valley Mobile Homes went up in flames.

The target of 80 cows on 49 acres, with a gross margin per acre of £147, was well within sight for Rushden farmer, Mr Merriman, who started in milk production with borrowed capital almost 6 years previously.

Mrs A.Bailey, a Rushden dog owner, won a first prize at the Crufts Dog Show in London with her cocker spaniel “Hazori Honey Puff”.

A special meeting was called at Rushden Hall to form a Rushden Amenities Society.  The first project on the agenda was to save and preserve as much of the Hall as possible.

March 1967

Rushden UDC recommended an increase in rents of 2s.6d a week and an increase of 6d. for garage rents.

The Continental Stores Company opened a delicatessen in Newton Road specialising in continental foods.

For the second year running John White Footwear Group landed a major export order with Russia.  The deal, completed in Moscow, was for 95,000 pairs of men’s boots and was worth £200,000.

April 1967

Rushden Amateur Dramatic Society staged their production of “Sailor Beware” at Rushden Boys School.

Rushden CWS were planning to build a supermarket in the High Street on the site of the former Succoth Chapel.

It was reported that Rushden Carnival, to be held in June, would have a Royal Navy helicopter as its main attraction in Spencer Park.  16 year old Annette Hemmington was elected the Carnival Queen.

May 1967

On “divi day” in Rushden the CWS had paid out £20,000 at one shilling in the pound to its members.

About 25 enthusiasts attended the inaugural meeting of the Amateur Cine Group at the Rock Foundation Hall.

13 year old Barry Prime took most of the honours at the Northamptonshire Schools’ Swimming Gala held at Kettering Baths.

June 1967

About 150 cubs and scouts from six troops took part in the Rushden and District Scout Association sports day.  The event was organised to mark a week of celebrations in their Diamond Jubilee year.

An increase in old age pensions by 10 shillings a week for single people and 16 shillings a week for married couples was announced.  This meant the final figure of £4.10s.0d a week for single people and £7.6s.0d for married couples.

July 1967

Mr Clive Wood gave a talk on Rushden Hall and its occupants when Rushden Amenities Society held its first members meeting.

A new £500,000 plant for Taylor Woodrow Anglia Ltd, capable of producing 2,500 factory made homes a year, would be built on a 7 acre site on the Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate.  The initial labour force could be 100 which may rise to 200.

The 100% rate relief grant hoped for by the Rushden Rock Foundation was refused by the Rushden UDC.

August 1967

In the estimates for the 1969/70 school building programme the Northamptonshire County Council had set aside nearly £200,000 for extensions to Rushden Secondary Modern Boys’ School.

Housewives in Rushden and Higham Ferrers could be cooking with North Sea Gas by the end of the year according to Mr J.Jones, public relations officer for the East Midlands Gas Board.

John White Footwear Holding reported a loss of £28,744.

September 1967

Residents of Co-operative Row, tired of being under threat of demolition, conducted a campaign to raise money to resurface the road outside their houses in hope that Rushden UDC would grant a reprieve.

Crime fighting in Rushden was given a significant boost when Rushden Police were equipped with pocket sized radios.

The Rushden Echo increased in price from 3d to 4d.

October 1967

A super Medical Centre was planned for Rushden.  Nine doctors in the town agreed to join forces to provide financial support for a central medical centre to serve the whole of Rushden and Higham Ferrers.

Mr Ernest Denton and Rushden Temperance Brass Band parted company after 21 years.  Mr Denton was formerly the principal cornet player before becoming the band’s Musical Director.

Senior citizens, guests of the local WRVS, were brought together in the common room of Kilburn Estate for the first Day Club meeting held in Northamptonshire.

November 1967

The Northamptonshire Advertiser presented Mike Dilley, former county cricketer, with a cricket bat in recognition of his present team Rushden Town winning first prize in their ‘Top Team’ competition.

7 year old Vincent Groome and Wendy Taylor, both from Alfred Street School, were each presented with a prize of 10 shillings for their entries in a National Road Safety competition.

December 1967

Mrs H.Groome, a member of Rushden UDC Clerks Dept, was elected the first woman President of the Rushden and District branch of NALGO at the annual meeting at the Westwood Hotel.

Rushden and District Golf Club closed their course due to the foot and mouth epidemic following a request from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Rushden Temperance Band were looking for a new rehearsal room following news that they must leave the British Women’s Hall in Newton Road.