January 1987

When “Risdene”, the old people’s home in Higham Road caught fire, three schoolgirls, Helen Goodier, Julia Ely and Joanna Shaw helped evacuate the elderly residents.  The girls also used their coats to keep them warm.

February 1987

The new one-way system introduced for Queen Street and Coffee Tavern Lane took motorists by surprise.  The police stopped a stream of drivers still using the roads according to the old rules.

March 1987

The Queen Victoria Hotel at the end of the High Street was sold by auction.

A team of volunteers installed a sloping roof on the Rushden Scouts’ headquarters.  It would provide space for a committee room, office and storage room.

April 1987

To the dismay of all concerned, the Day Centre in Wymington Road was condemned as unsafe and the patients were forced to move out.

May 1987

It was announced that The Queen Victoria Hotel would re-open after a £500,000 facelift.  It would be named the Rilton Hotel and Restaurant in a bid to change its image.

June 1987

The Independent Wesleyan Church in High Street underwent a complete interior re‑decoration.  Improvements were also made to the forecourt.  The main church would be closed until the end of July and Sunday evening services were held in the vestry.

July 1987

Rushden’s first bottle bank opened.  It was situated in the Duck Street car park.

Rushden Lions Club presented an American Football Charity Spectacular between Rockingham Rebels and Alconbury Spartans.

August 1987

Traders complained that weeds and long grass growing through the pavements were giving the town a scruffy appearance.  Weeds two feet tall were sprouting out of the raised pavement areas on High Street South.

September 1987

East Northamptonshire Council hired private detectives to check on cars in Duck Street car park.  The news came as a shock to Councillors who knew nothing about it.

October 1987

Traders supported a plan to install closed circuit TV cameras in parts of the High Street.  It was hoped that vandalism would be cut by this measure.

November 1987

Teams from Rushden Lions Club and Evening Telegraph reporter, Kathy Scott, brought back 240 bottles of Beaujolais from France.  They were later auctioned off for the ET “Have a Heart” Appeal and raised £900.

December 1987