A public meeting was held at the New Hall, Rushden, on Tuesday evening, to receive the report of the Jubilee Committee, appointed at the meeting some time ago, and to take action thereon. There was a large attendance. Rev. Canon Barker presided, and amongst those present were Rev. W. J. Tomkins, Dr. Owen. Messrs. G. H. Skinner, John Claridge, W. Colson, G. S. Mason, J. C. Stevens, C. Claridge, W. Wilkins, W. Claridge, sen., G. Perkins, G. Skinner, W. Brown, G. Denton, H. Packwood, F. Knight, C. L. Bradfield, T. Willmott, W. Clarke, W. Knight, John Sargent, John Jaques, W. Sanders, S. Chettle, C. Denton, W. Skinner, &c. –The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said the committee they appointed at the last meeting had carefully considered the various proposals submitted to them, and had done their best to arrive at the most desirable conclusions.

Mr. W. Wilkins read the following report of the Jubilee Committee:- “By order of the Jubilee Committee voting papers were sent to every householder in the parish, asking for a definite opinion on the different suggestions made at the public meeting called to consider the best means of commemorating the Queen’s Jubilee at Rushden. All interested were asked to indicate the order in which they considered the various proposals preferable. Householders only were also asked to give their opinion on the question of altering the date of the Feast. A very large number of the papers were returned unmarked, and it was found that many had voted upon the recreation ground, baths, nurse, or infirmary proposals without any reference to the Feast, while others had voted on the Feast question only, recording no opinion on the other suggestions. From the marked papers it appeared that 406 had given preferable votes for the recreation ground, as compared with 247 for the public baths, 102 for the enlargement of Northampton Infirmary, and 25 for the parish nurse. Acting upon this decision, the Committee endeavoured to obtain more definite information as to the terms on which a recreation ground could be secured. The Pyekles site seemed to have the preference in public estimation, but the committee were unable to induce the owner to fix any definite price; but judging by the mount at which a portion of it was offered for other purposes, they were satisfied that at least £2,000 would be required for a recreation ground on that site, which amount the Committee felt would be beyond the resources of the parish. They also obtained a price from Mr. Sartoris for the only alternative site that was available and suitable, namely, the upper part of Nippendale – not the part where football matches are played, but the partly ploughed, partly laid field beyond it, with the exception of two acres already sold. For 10 acres of this land Mr. Sartoris is prepared to accept £500, or he will sell the 13¾ acres at present unsold for £700. The offer is a final one, from which no reduction will be made. It is for the parishioners of Rushden to determine whether or not they consider it within their means, and for that purpose the present meeting is more especially called. On the Feast question 303 voted for the date being altered to August Bank Holiday, 127 for Higham Feast being the date, 23 were for an alteration without indicating any preferential date, and 140 voted against any change at all, leaving over 400 householders unaccounted for, who may be assumed to be indifferent whether any change be made or not. An examination of the voting papers demonstrated that the manufacturers generally favoured Higham Feast week as the preferential date for Rushden Feast, but they are prepared to accept the decision of the majority in favour of August Bank Holiday. This meeting will be asked to confirm that decision.

The Chairman said besides the £500 or £700 for the ground there would be other substantial expenses, but if they could raise two-thirds of the money something might be done to meet the remaining portion. The young men who played cricket and football ought to come down handsomely, and not expect the parish to do everything for them. Would the young men he had mentioned give 10s each to the fund? (A voice: “I think not” and laughter.) – Mr. C. L. Bradfield said cricket and football as played at present by the Rushden clubs, could not be played on a public Recreation Ground. (Hear, hear.) If they subscribed he thought it would have to be a disinterested subscription. – The Chairman said he had no doubt they would be able to play occasional matches on the ground. – Mr. H. Ashby said it would greatly encourage some people to subscribe if some liberal donations to the fund were made by people holding good positions. (Applause.) The Chairman said the committee had not forgotten that matter. But there seemed to be a general feeling against treating the people of Rushden like children, asking for something which was at once given them. Let them, if they would, take up the project themselves in a bold and independent spirit. (Hear, hear.) – Mr. J. Willmott said the feeling of the majority of the inhabitants was in favour of the Pyekles site. The Nippendale site was altogether unsuitable, and he moved that the meeting disapprove of it. – Mr. D. P. Boyd seconded, and the chairman pointed out that if the motion were carried, it would entirely put an end to the matter, as the committee stated that it was the only available site. – Mr. J. Sargent opposed the motion, which was put to the meeting and lost. – It was then resolved “That this meeting is desirous of securing the Nippendale site, not because it is the best, but the only available site; and instructs the committee to take all steps considered advisable to see what money can be obtained.” – The Chairman said he earnestly hoped they would heartily support the scheme. (Applause.)

The meeting then considered the proposed alteration in the Rushden Feast week. The poll had resulted in a majority of votes for an alteration to the August Bank Holiday week, the other change proposed being to the Higham Feast week.—The Chairman said he was rather in favour of leaving the feast alone. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the second proposal, the greatest objection to it had come from the Higham people themselves, who pretended to be highly indignant that such a small, insignificant place as Rushden should propose to hold its feast at the same time as the important town of Higham Ferrers. (Ironical laughter.) In the course of the discussion which followed, Mr. Wilkins said it was a mistake to suppose that the manufacturers were opposed to any change; they were ready to meet the wishes of the majority of the inhabitants. (Applause.) – A resolution was ultimately passed, declaring it to be the decided wish of the meeting that the feast should be altered to Bank Holiday week.

As to the celebration of the jubilee on the 21st June, the chairman said the committee recommended that there should be a general holiday, a tea in the afternoon, games indulged in, and, if possible, a display of fireworks at night. They desired that all children of school age should be provided with a free tea, and that a meat tea should be given to all the poor people in the parish. Other people would purchase tickets. The sum required to carry out these objects was between £50 and £60, towards which small subscriptions were invited. – These recommendations were unanimously confirmed, and the meeting pledged itself to assist the committee in carrying them into effect. The proceedings then terminated.

The Wellingborough News, 24th June 1887, transcribed by Jim Hollis

The Jubilee celebration in Rushden commenced on Sunday evening last, when sermons having special reference to the jubilee were preached in the Parish Church, by the Rev. Canon Barker, and at the old Baptist Meeting, by the Rev. W. J. Tomkins. The morning of the auspicious day was ushered in by merry peals from the bells, and two arches spanning the roadway – the one in the centre, and the other at the bottom end of the village – mysteriously sprang into existence during the preceding night. A few residents exhibited flags in solitary parts of the village, the above being the sum total of the decorative productions of the inhabitants. After numberless meetings, the committee decided to abandon all the suggestions made at the two public meetings with the exception of the tea for the children and the old folks. The former, numbering some 1,500 met at the different schools, from which they were conducted round the village and from thence to tea, 500 infants being accommodated in the Public Hall, and the adjoining schoolroom, the remaining 1,000 being taken to Mr. H. Skinner’s Home Close, where tea was provided for them in the open-air. About 250 free tickets were also distributed among the poor of both sexes, and to many old and other parishioners who sat down to a cold collation in the Public Hall and in the Home Close. A large number of the inhabitants of the village not being included in the above, a general exodus commenced soon after 6 a.m., and continued the greater part of the forenoon. Bedford, Wellingborough, Northampton, and the Metropolis, being amongst the destinations of the excursionists. Several independent jubilee celebrations took place during the day, among which we are pleased to note that of the residents in Drawbridge’s-place, near Succoth Chapel, whose united efforts produced an awning under which the whole of the residents in that locality discussed the topics of the day under the influence of “the cup that cheers;” and also that of about forty neighbours and friends living on the Newton-road, and in the vicinity, who gave expression to their jubilation by adjourning to a field near Mr. Mortimer’s Lodge, where a kind of gipsy encampment was pitched; a fire kindled, and al fresco repasts partaken of. The males of the party displayed their prowess with the bat and ball, while the ladies dispersed refreshments and imparted life and animation to the gathering generally. Mr. Perkins, of the New Inn, provided a public tea in the paddock at the rear of his premises, while the landlords of the Wagon and Horses, the Wheatsheaf, and the Rose and Crown Inns offered special inducements in the shape of bread and cheese and ale to their respective customers. Unfortunately both the Temperance and the National School Board Bands had engagements elsewhere, but thanks to the general musical abilities of the bulk of the Rushdenites, a sufficient number of instrumentalists – including selections from the National School, the Temperance, the Salvation Army Bands, and unattached musicians – were pressed into the services of the Jubilee Committee. After tea a programme of flat, sack, three-legged, wheelbarrow, and other races, for boys, hoop, skipping, and flat races for girls, greasy pole and other sports for the public, took place under the direction of Messrs. Wood, Vann, and Wilby. The National School Band played for dancing in the evening, the whole concluding with a display of fireworks at dusk. The following was the programme of sports, with the results: - Open to Rushden: 100 Yards Flat Race: 1 Seabrook, 2 Evans, 3 Collins. 200 Yards Hurdle Race: 1 Clarke, 2 Coleman, 3 Parker. 440 Yards Flat Race: 1 Coleman, 2 Seabrook, 3 Parker. Tug of War, staple and other trades: The strength of the contending parties broke the rope, and the matter ended in a compromise. 75 Yards Flat Race, for women over 30: 1 Mrs. Piggott, 2 Mrs. Bull, 3 Mrs. Tiney 4 Mrs. Tew. 100 Yards Flat Race, for men over 50: 1 Mackness, 2 Knight, 3 Griffith. – Boys Races: 100 Yards Flat Race, for boys under 9 years: 1 Wheeler, 2 Bull, 3 Pendered. 150 Yards Flat Race, for boys from 9 to 12: 1 Banby, 2 Perkins, 3 Jacques, 4 Earl. 200 Yards Flat Race, for boys from 12 to 14: 1 Ballard, 2 Underwood, 3 Cave, 4 Warner. Quarter-Mile Flat Race: 1 Banby, 2 Darnell, 3 Hanger, 4 Jacobs. Cock Fighting: 1 Woodward, 2 Wheeler, 3 Higgins. 100 Yards Three-legged Race: 1 Minney and Warner, 2 Burfield and Tew, 3 Banby and Darnell. 50 Yards Sack Race: 1 Burfield, 2 Cave, 3 Higgins, 4 Abbott. – Girls’ Races: 75 Yards Flat Race for girls under 9: 1 Emily Clarke, 2 Maud Baker, 3 E. Banks. 100 Yards Race, for girls from 9 to 12: 1 Rose Tiney, 2 Ethel Linnett, 3 Ellen Clayton. 150 Yards Flat Race, for girls from 12 to 14: 1 Ada Whitbread, 2 Alice Burridge, 3 Amy McCracken. Skipping Match: 1 Childs (252 times), 2 Wheeler (178), 3 Evans (172). 100 Yards Hoop Race: 1 E. Lawson, 2 F. Wheeler, 3 Tiney. 50 Yards Flat Race, with cup of water: 1 Ada Whitbread, 2 F. Childs, 3 Ellen Clayton. Skipping Race: 1 Ellen Clayton, 2 E. Linnett, 3 S. Bailey. Race with Egg in Spoon: 1 Ethel Linnett, 2 Edith Wilby, 3 S. J. Busby. – On Jubilee Day Mr. H. Sparrow, contractor and builder entertained the whole of his workmen to a liberal dinner and tea. In the afternoon a cricket match was played.