January 1985

The Department of Transport published its plans to make Duck Street a trunk road and to ‘de-trunk’ High Street.

February 1985

The Rotary Club celebrated 50 years since the Rushden group received its charter.  A dinner at Overstone Solarium was planned, with the President of Rotary International in Great Britain, Jim Watts, attending.

March 1985

The old graveyard belonging to the Baptist Church was offered to East Northants Council.  The last burial there took place before World War II and the site was in disrepair.

Friends of Rushden Hospital bought a £1,600 luxury bath that tilted to make bathing more enjoyable for patients and more convenient for nurses.

April 1985

David Hall and Ruth Harding published their much-respected book, “Rushden: A Duchy of Lancaster Village”.  The book was launched at Alfred Street School where both authors were present to sign copies.

May 1985

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Higham Ferrers.  They were greet by flag-waving children and walked around talking to the crowds.

Rushden Salvation Army Men’s Fireside organised three walks of 12km, 26km and 40km to raise money for the St.John Ambulance.

June 1985

Councillor Mrs Maye Dicks, Chairman of East Northamptonshire Council, signed the twinning charter between East Northamptonshire and Germany’s Lorelie Region.  The ceremony took place on board a steamer on the Rhine.

July 1985

The old open-air swimming pool in Rushden was reported to be crumbling.  George Thompson, President of Rushden swimming club, planned a public meeting to discuss the future of swimming in the town.

August 1985

The first residents moved into a new home for the elderly which opened at 77 Victoria Road.

September 1985

The Rector, the Reverend Alan Smith, and his family moved into their new home which had been built in the grounds of the former Rectory.  This was the town’s third Rectory.  The first one, in Little Street, is a private house.

A Roman villa unearthed by archaeologists at Stanwick was thought to be more important than first believed.  A number of outhouses and buildings connected to the villa had been discovered.

October 1985

Complaints were being heard about fast traffic in Rectory Road, which was causing problems for pedestrians.  The installation of a pelican crossing was being considered.

November 1985

Vic Childs invited pensioners to add their memories of working in the shoe industry to his own store of photographs and anecdotes.

Caroline Jones, a 15 years old pupil at The Ferrers School, was offered the chance to study Jazz professionally.

December 1985

The Skew Bridge Ski Club had the fastest artificial ski slope in the country.  A £6,000 grant from the Sports Council would allow them to expand further.

The Pearly Kings and Queens from Woolwich and Streatham added extra sparkle when they took part in a Christmas Parade in Rushden.