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| The Rushden Echo, 23rd June, 1911, transcribed by Jim Hollis |
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Coronation Festivities - Rushden
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Brilliant Scenes
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There is no town in England where the people are more ready for a day’s festivities than are the residents of Rushden, and yesterday was given over to unrestrained hilarity from morning to night. An admirable programme had been arranged, which may be briefly summarised as under:-
6 a.m., a peal on the church bells to herald the dawn of Coronation Day. 10 a.m., Coronation services in the Parish Church, St. Peter’s Church, and the Park-road Wesleyan Methodist Church (the latter service being arranged by the Rushden Free Church Council.) 1 p.m., procession comprising the members of the Rushden contingent of the Territorials, the Fire Brigade, the Ambulance Brigade, the Church Lads’ Brigade, and the Boy Scouts, the whole procession headed by the Rushden Temperance Silver Band. 3 p.m., children’s tea in the various school-rooms, and meat tea for the old folks. 4 p.m., assembly of all the children near the Green, and the singing of the National Anthem and national songs. 4.30 p.m., procession from the Green to the Home Field, where sports and entertainments were held, concluding in the evening with fireworks and a bonfire.
The Committees Excellent work was done by the committees, Mr. John Claridge, J.P., C.C., (chairman of the Rushden Urban Council), acted as chairman of the General Committee, with Mr. George S. Mason as secretary and Mr. F. L. Heygate as treasurer. Mr. C. R. Claridge was the secretary of the Finance Committee. The sub-committees were:- Finance Committee – Messrs. Charles Bates, Frank Ballard, C. E. Bayes W. Bazeley, I. Cunnington, John Claridge, John Clark, Fred Corby, W. Frisby, C. W. Horrell, F. L. Heygate, W. M. Hensman, George Miller, C.C., Tom Swindall, W. B. Sanders, George Selwood, W. G. Wilmott, Mr. Bazeley and Mr. Bates subsequently withdrew from this committee on a question of principle. Entertainment Committee – Messrs. A. C. Ashby, C. W. Barker, W. H. Hewitt, Jos. Knight, W. H. Moody, W. H. Marriott, Chas. Smith, J. E. Smith, Bert Sanders, B. Tomkins. Children’s Tea Committee – Messrs. W. H. Bennett, Geo. Bayes, H. Barron, Mrs. Bull, Messrs. W. Chettle, Clifton, J. T. Colson, R. Denton, W. Desborough, A. Dickens, S. T. Fox, R. Goodwin, Fred Knight, W. Lowe, Herbert Lack, A. Mantle, Misses C. E. Miller, E. Margetts, and R. E. Packer, Mrs. J. Paragreen, Messrs. A. Packwood, L. Perkins, W. W. Rial, J. T. Scott, S. Sadler, W. Seamarks, Misses Ida L. Scott, F. E. Strickland, E. A. Taylor, E. Walker, Mr. B. Vorley, Rev. Ronald Waldie, the Ven. A. Kitchin. Procession and Decoration Committee – Messrs. Ashby, F. Betts, Sergt. Bullard, F. Cave, A. E. Long, W. B. Madin, G. A. Mcleod, R. Marriott, F. E. Preston, W. Packwood, G. H. Skinner, W. B. Sanders, James Sargent, J. Seckington, W. W. Smith, G. R. Turner, O. Thompson, A. Tullett, A. C. F. G. Woodcock, W. G. Wilmott, J. C. Wright, J. H. Walker, Tom Wilmott, Thos. Watson. Old People’s Tea Committee – Mrs. A. C. Ashby, Messrs. C. H. Blunsom, Rev. E. F. Braley, Rev. B. Barker, Rev. E. G. Betenson, Jas. Clarke, C. R. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, John Claridge, W. J. Cure, A. Faulkner, A. Gadsby, Mrs. Gingell, Rev. C. J. Keeler, Messrs. B. Ladds, T. W. C. Linnitt, S. Leeding, W. Lack, Mrs. C. Linnitt, Rev. J. H. Lynn, Messrs. George Mitchell, Charles Neal, W. R. Pack, J. Spencer, G. H. Skinner, J. Twelftree, T. Tailby, Rev. E. J. Keely Wright. Sports Committee – Rev. E. F. Braley, Messrs. Thomas Barker, Chas. Claridge, H. Chester, R. Denton, S. Denton, Dr. D. G. Greenfield, Messrs. J. Garley, Fred Knight, H. Knight, J. S. Mason, A. W. Neville, A. C. F. G. Woodcock. The Sub-Committees’ Work may be gathered from the following summary of the reports presented at a meeting of the General Committee:- Mr. G. S. Mason, on behalf of the Finance Committee, reported that the amount collected was £190/2/0, and it was expected that from other sources of letting stalls, etc., to make the sum up to £200. The Rector, for the Children’s Tea Committee, reported that they had arranged for tea to be partaken of in the various schools, and the Head Masters, with their staffs, would make necessary arrangements. The number, as near as they could ascertain, would be 3,000, at an estimated cost of £38. Mr. Claridge (Old People’s Tea Committee) reported that the Coffee Tavern Company had agreed to provide a meat tea for 1/- per head, and the probable numbers were 600. Mr. J. S. Mason reported that the Sports Committee had provided a programme, with prizes to the amount of £18. Mr. W. H. Moody, (Secretary of the entertainment Committee), said that artistes, etc. had been engaged who would give two entertainments of about two hours’ duration each at a cost of £15/13/0. Mr. J. E. Smith said that the Maypole girls would attend. The Combined Decoration, Procession, Illumination, Fireworks, and Bonfire Committees were reported upon by Mr. F. E. Preston and Mr. G. R. Turner. The estimated costs of the various Committees were : Fireworks £16/10/-, Bonfire, £8/10/0, Decorations (six arches, including one triple arch, with decorations) £25; total £50. Decorations In the matter of decorations, Rushden was second to none of the towns in the County. The Decorative Committee had prepared a most elaborate scheme, which was carried out under the able superintendence of Mr. F. E. Preston and Mr. G. R Turner. At all points of the town the public buildings and dwelling places were outlined with coloured fairy lamps, red, white, and blue being predominant, and the effect at night was striking in the extreme. From end to end of the High-street tradesman had vied with tradesman in the carrying out of the most ornate decorative schemes, their combined efforts resulting in a veritable blaze of splendour. Every portion of the town was radiant with bunting and flags of all descriptions, the Union Jack in the natural course of things being a dominant feature. Triumphal arches spanned the roadway at various points along the processional route. All were very cleverly designed by Mr. F. E. Preston, and were gay with bunting and national flags of all designs. The work of erection was efficiently carried out by Mr. T. Wilmott and Mr. R. Marriott, contractors. The triple arch at the juncture of Newton-road, Church-street, and High-street is worthy of special mention, being of a most striking character. This was wreathed with materials of red, white, and blue, while from the corner poles to the central poles hung festoons of coloured bunting, heraldic designs, royal monograms, etc., being placed in conspicuous positions upon the structure. Facing up and down High-street was the motto ‘Peace and prosperity to the Empire: Britain, Ireland, and the colonies over the seas,’ on the side facing Church-street was the motto “God save the King,” and on the Newton-road side “God save the Queen.” Opposite the fire station was another arch of elaborate design, bearing on one side a tremendous oil painting, half life-size, depicting a steam fire engine upon which are mounted shouting firemen proceeding at full speed to a fire, while the crowd scatter in all directions. This is a veritable work of art, the artist being Mr. B. H. Small. The picture was presented to the Rushden Fire Brigade by the National fire Brigade Union. On the opposite side to the picture was the motto “Long Live the King.” Outside the Palace Theatre was another gaily decorated triangular arch bearing four brilliant electric arc lamps, the Palace management kindly supplying the lamps and electricity for the illumination of this structure. In the evening a brilliant search light was manipulated from the roof of the Palace by the Palace management, this being visible for miles around. Similar arches bearing the mottoes “God save the King” and “Long live the King” were erected at the top of Station-road, Wellingborough-road, the bottom of Wymington-road, and at the entrance to the Home Field. The residence and factory of Mr. J. Claridge, chairman of the Rushden Urban Council and of the Coronation Committee, was a sight to behold, having been decorated with a lavish hand. Festoons of flowers, fairy lamps, and laurel wreaths artistically arranged traversed the house front from end to end. On the centre top window twinkled a crown designed in red fairy lamps, while the windows on either side were outlined with white lights. The windows on the ground floor were similarly outlined in blue lights. Surmounting the door was an elegant piece of red tapestry bearing a gilt crown and festooned with a rope of silk with tassels woven in red, white, and blue. At suitable positions amidst the 700 or 800 multi-coloured lamps on the frontage were placed shields bearing various heraldic designs, each shield being surmounted with a bunch of flags of all nationalities. In the office window of the factory was placed an effective transparency of King George V, and Queen Mary, illuminated from the back, while above the office window at the top of the factory shone a crown outlined in gas light, the royal initials appearing on either side, illuminated by the same means. Fairy lamps were effectively arranged amongst the flower beds in the garden and amongst the foliage of the trees, the whole combining to make a particularly charming effect. The office of Mr. G. S. Mason, secretary of the Coronation Committee, also presented a beautiful appearance, the frontage of the building being bedecked with bunches of flags, festoons of cloth of red, white, and blue, and floral designs of the same National colours consisting of marguerites, geraniums and lobelia. Co-op-row Co-operative-row, leading out of High-street South, deserves a paragraph all to itself. In no part of the town were the decorations proportionately so lavish nor the manifestations of unity and festivity so hearty. From end to end the row was gaily festooned, and, though the boisterous winds of Wednesday night and Thursday morning did some damage with the decorations, the general effect was excellent. The residents had vied with each other in beautifying the yard, and numerous flags, loyal devices, appropriate mottoes, etc., embellished the walls, the brightly-coloured paper garlands enhancing the pleasing spectacle. Better still, the residents decided to have tea altogether in the yard. Mr. G. H. Parkin generously supplied strawberries and Mr. Percy Collins gave tobacco for the men and sweets for the women and children. Church Services After all, the coronation is essentially a religious ceremony, and it was quite appropriate that religious services should be held, Conformists and Nonconformists alike assembling to invoke the divine blessing upon the King. Rushden Parish Church St. Mary’s Parish Church was well filled yesterday morning for the united Coronation service, amongst the congregation being many members of the Free Churches. Members of the Urban Council and public officials were present, including Messrs. J. Claridge, F. Knight, G. Miller, J. S. Clipson, B. Ladds, T. Swindall, B. Vorley, W. Clark, W. M. Hensman, J. T. Colson, L. Baxter, H. H. Hobbs, G. H. Skinner, W. B. Madin, Wing, W. L. Beetenson, and George Skinner, Rushden’s veteran church-warden. The service, which was of the form commended by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, for use on coronation-day, opened with the hymn “O God, our help in ages past,” following which was chanted Psalm 122, “I was glad when they said unto me.” Following the litany, the hymn “Now thank we all our God” was sung, after which the lesson was read by the Rev. B. Barker, Wesleyan minister, representing the Free Churches. The Rector then read the recital of the solemnities of the coronation. After prayers on behalf of King George and Queen Mary, the singing of the National Anthem concluded the service. A similar service was held at St. Peter’s Church. The Free Churches held a united service in the Park-road Wesleyan Church, conducted by the Rev. J. H. Lynn. Mr. C. Wooding presided at the organ. The lessons were read by Mr. W. J. Cure and Mr. T. Surridge, and the prayers were offered by the Revs. H. J. Horn, C. J. Keeler, E. J. Keely Wright, and J. H. Lynn. The Te Deum was sung to Jackson’s setting. The Rev. J. H. Lynn gave the address. We rejoice to-day – he said – that we have a King and Queen whose life, so well known, tells of sterling character; on the one hand, a gracious womanliness, a sweet home devotion, and energies and sympathies in full action for all whom she could serve; on the other hand, manly integrity, devotion to duty, clear judgment, and loyalty to principle and to the constitution. We rejoice in our Sovereign’s declaration of dependence upon God, adherence to His inspired word and to the great principles of the faith once for all delivered to the saints, and a determination to follow in the steps of his beloved father, and to further the cause of righteousness and peace. Mr. Lynn proceeded to speak briefly on the words “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before thy face” (Psalm 89, 14), and said that whatever gratitude they felt to God for what he had given them in Edward VII. – gratitude which deepened with greater knowledge of Edward’s work – should they not pray that the throne of George V. might be greater still in all that was good, sweet, wholesome, and helpful? Above all they must pray that King George and Queen Mary might have fellowship with the King of Kings. The Procession was formed in the Fosse football ground, and marched along High-street to the Home Close. First came the Yeomanry, under the officership of Mr. G. M. McLeod; then followed the Rushden Fire Brigade, Captain Fred Knight, J.P., and Secretary G. R. Turner being with steamer No. 1, while Second-Officer J. T. Colson and Fireman J. Whiting were with the No. 2 steamer. After the C.W.S. factory fire brigade under the command of Mr. C. Hobbs came the Temperance Band, playing appropriate music; the Rushden Territorials, the Rushden Ambulance men, with Supt. T. Swindall in charge, the Rushden Church Lads’ Brigade, and the Rushden Boy Scouts. Last, in Mr. Whipple’s motor, came Mr. Geo. Miller, C.C., accompanied by Sergt. Bateman, the last of the Crimean veterans, who is 82 years of age and who proudly wore his medals. Sports A grand list of sports had been arranged for the juveniles, the heats of which were run off during the morning and afternoon, and the finals after tea. The chief officials were:- Starter, Mr. W. Hanger, jun.; handicappers, Messrs. Perkins, Saddler, Fox, and Rial; judges, Messrs. W. J. Lovell, A. Knight, E. Compton, A. F. Knight, H. Chester, and C. Foreman; secretaries to judges, Mr. E. L. Brightwell, and Mr. D. T. Bennett; chief clerks of the course, Mr. W. Clark and Mr. S. Denton. The following is a list of results. Boys 80 yards (6 to 9 years) – 1. H. Perkins, 2. H. Miles, 3. Arthur Brown, 4. H. Whiting, 5. W. Layram, 6. W. Parish, 7. R. Cox, 8. H. Woodhams. 100 yards (9 to 11) – 1. Wilfred Campion, 2. Archie Adams, 3. Harry Laugham, 4. Bertie Chettle, 5. Herbert Scroxton, 6. Willie Foster, 7. Edgar Higgins, 8. John Brice, 9. Charles Campion. 120 yards (11 to 13) – 1. Tom Weedon, 2. B. Richardson, 3. Will Hind, 4. Leonard Gray, 5. Gerald Rogers, 6. E. Burfield. 120 yards (13 to 16) – 1 and 2 dead heat (prizes divided), R. Wilson and G. Wigglesworth, 3. Arthur Helsdown, 4. S. Matthews, 5. F. Neville, 6. Charles Patenall. Three-legged race (under 11) – 1. Sidney Clark and Albert Adams, 2. F. Bradshaw and S. Judd, 3. H. Askew and S. Tomkins. Three legged race (11 to 14) – 1. F. Howe and George Burns, 2. H. Whiting and W. Bryant, 3. Claud Blinco and Stanley Ellis. Sack race (under 13) – 1. J. Perkins, 2. H. Fletton, 3. R. Vines. Girls 80 yards girls (6 to 9) – 1. F. Frost, 2. E. Askew, 3. G. Curtis, 4. P. Lovell, 5. L. Wilson, 6. D. Wood, 7. G. Shortland, 8. E. Brightwell. 100 yards girls (9 to 11) – 1. D. Jeffery, 2. C. Short, 3. E. Helsdown, 4. K. Whiting, 5. F. Woodhams, 6. M. Newitt, 7. E. Bridgment, 8. E. Bridgeford. 120 yards girls (11 to 13) – Dead heat for first place, E. Dixon and L. Jaques, 3. D. Archer, 4. E. Travil, 5. E. Scholes, 6. I. Beeby. 120 yards girls (13 to 16) – 1. Cooper, 2. F. Odell, 3. E. Sanders, 4. C. Edmunds, 5. H. Barker, 6. K. Rowthorn. 50 yards egg and spoon race girls (under 11) – 1. C. Short, 2. L. Chamberlain, 3. R. Coleman. 50 yards egg and spoon race, girls (11 to 14) – 1. K. Eyre, 2. L. Lovell, 3. C. Edmunds. 80 yards skipping race, girls (under 11) – 1. G. Curtis, 2. F. Church, 3. H. Lack. 100 yards skipping race, girls (11 to 14) – 1. E. Scholes, 2. N. Denton, 3. L. Jaques. Entertainments Under the successful stage management of Mr. W. H. Moody, an excellent series of entertainments took place, a stage having been erected in the Home Close by Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin. Gramophone selections were given by Messrs. G. S. Whiting & Co., and Mr. J. E. Smith’s Maypole girls gave a very interesting series of performances, which were watched with evident appreciation. Selections by the Rushden Temperance Prize Band included “The best of the bunch,” “The royal coronation,” “Old memories,” &c. Thoroughly enjoyable variety performances were given by the following artistes: Professor Lennard, handbell expert; Mdlle. Bartenelli, the world-renowned contortionist, the boneless lady on a revolving column; Fred Lennard, ventriloquist; The Two Eugenoes, comedy jugglers, including the great scene, “The waiter and the tramp”; and The Jackson Brothers, trick cyclists, &c. Mdlle. Bartenelli gave one of the cleverest and most refined performances ever seen in Rushden, holding the audience of 10,000 people spellbound. The attractions included a daylight fireworks display and balloon ascents from the stage enclosure. Dancing took place until dusk to the motive music of the Temperance Band, the bonfire providing a fitting finale to a big day’s enjoyment. Master John William Claridge, son of the chairman of the Urban Council, started the bonfire at the request of the committee. The Illuminations Last night, through the boisterous winds, the gas illuminations on the arches in High-street (near the bridge), Wellingborough-road, and Newton-road had to be abandoned, but the other arches looked very fine. Mr. John Claridge’s grounds looked charming, as did several others. Conservative Club The children between the ages of 3 and 14 of members of the Rushden Conservative Club presented themselves yesterday morning on Mr. James Hyde’s lawn to receive specially struck Coronation medals. Bronze Medals commemorative of the coronation were provided for the directors and the committee. Luncheon was provided for the members free by the directors yesterday and to-day. Mr. J. Hyde presided yesterday, Sergt. Batemen the Crimean veteran, replied to the toast of “the Army and Navy,” and was made a life-member of the club. C.W.S. The C.W.S. decided to pay the employees at Rushden full wages for the holiday on Coronation Day. Tradesmen A meeting of the Rushden section of the Chamber of Trade was held on Monday to consider the question of closing the shops for the coronation. It was decided to ask each trade to make its own arrangements. 30th June, 1911 The Coronation Festivities Further Details - Rushden A torchlight procession, headed by Mr. Fred Knight, J.P., captain of the Rushden Fire Brigade, concluded the proceedings on Coronation Day. On Friday and Saturday the arches were illuminated, but the rain on Saturday interfered considerably with the general effect. The Arches The work of designing the arches and superintending their erection was carried out by Mr. F. E. Preston. Catholic Church A special votive Mass of thanksgiving in acknowledgment of past mercies vouchsafed to the Empire, and to implore God’s continual blessing upon our nation, was well attended by devout Catholics of Rushden and the neighbourhood on Coronation Day at 9 o’clock – some coming ten or eleven miles. At the end of the Mass there was the “Te Deum,” the versicle and response “Domine, salvum fac Regem” in which all heartily joined, the prayer for the King and Royal Family, followed by Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, whilst after Benediction the National Anthem was enthusiastically sung by those privileged to be present. Speech By Mr. John Claridge To the children assembled in the Alfred-street schools, Mr. John Claridge, the chairman of the celebration committee, gave an appropriate address. He said that the Education Committee for Northamptonshire had provided flags for all the Council Schools in the county. Each country had a flag, and the Union Jack represented the unity of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It was a token of loyalty to the King and to the constitution. The children present were born to a great heritage, and he urged them to live up to their privileges, and to grow up to be useful citizens, loyal to King and country. He hoped they would always strive to do right, and to be honest, truthful, and straightforward in all their transactions, fearless of the consequences. This was a day to be remembered, not only as a local celebration, but as a national and even world-wide event. He, with others present, had lived under three reigns. During the reign of Queen Victoria, which extended over the long period of 64 years, great progress was made in giving the people civil and religious liberties. Then came Edward VII., who took a keen interest in all his subjects, who in particular laboured in the interests of peace, and who would go down to posterity as Edward the Peacemaker. And they had reason to believe that a peace-maker had succeeded a peace-maker. In King George’s first speech to his Council, after acknowledging the tribute paid to his father’s memory, he said, “With such thoughts I take courage, and hopefully look into the future, strong in my faith in God and trust in my people, cherishing the laws and constitution of my beloved country.” Then at the Tercentenary of the Bible Society, King George said, “It is my confident hope, confirmed by the widespread interest your movement has aroused, that my subjects may never cease to cherish the noble inheritance of the English Bible, which, in a secular aspect, is the first of national treasures, and in its spiritual significance the most valuable thing this world affords.” Mr. Claridge impressively urged the children to do their part in maintaining – and, in fact, to do more than merely to maintain – the honour and credit of the country to which all were proud to belong; and, in conclusion, he quoted Rudyard Kipling’s verses, “Land of our birth.” |
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