The Rushden Echo and Argus, 4^th August, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Holiday Fete With New Features
Stage Shows and Carnival Parade for Rushden

  Rushden, which set the pace for Holidays-at-Home catering in Northamptonshire, has plumped for a concentrated programme this year, and a Two-Days Fete at the beautiful Hall Grounds will be the chief event.

  August Monday and Tuesday are the chosen days, and the Baroness Vaux of Harrowden will open the fete on Monday afternoon.

  To meet the demand for new features the organisers have gone to much expense in engaging professional artistes who will appear each afternoon and each evening in “The Peep-Show,” a coordinated entertainment presented by Mr. Cally Lambert, an experienced producer of concert parties.

  Arthur Forbes, the comedian, and Emmie Joyce, well-known as an entertainer at the piano, will be supported at each performance by Edith Price (comedienne), Patricia Barrie (accordionist), Norton Hancock (accompanist and vocalist), Teresa Watson (soprano), Harold Fletcher (baritone) and Fred Lewis (impressionist), Col. Ling Soo, the Chinese magician, will appear on Monday only, and Ernest Sewell the noted conjuror, on Tuesday only.

Fancy Dress

  Another enterprise not attempted on any great scale at previous holiday fetes is the fancy dress parade planned for Monday.  Every endeavour is being made to attract entries, and special prizes are being offered to evacuees.  The schedule embraces adult and juvenile classes, large groups, small groups, individual entries, horses and horse-drawn vehicles.  Children’s impersonations of Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, Eden, Montgomery and Smuts are specially invited.

  The procession route is Washbrook-road, Wellingborough-road, Station-road and High-street.

  Fete items for Monday will include a rabbit show organised by the Rushden and District Poultry and Rabbit Club.  By way of a change, this will occupy a marquee in the main park and not be tucked away in the kitchen garden.  The local bands will play from the bandstand, which will also be the centre for musical mat and dancing.

Baby Show

  Special for Tuesday are the baby show – which is expected to draw a great number of entries – a good programme of children’s sports, and two whist drives in a marquee.

  Part of the grounds will be occupied each day by a fun fair, and the children will be offered pony rides, Punch and Judy shows and other diversions.  For those who want to do a spot of bargain-hunting the womenfolk will be running another of their always popular “Old English” markets.

  “Hunting the Shadows” will be a universal and inescapable pastime on Monday.  It is another of those competitions in which “mystery” figures have to be found and challenged, but the clues are on new lines – they form what will be a much-debated feature of the excellent Official Programme which is now on sale at the price of three-pence.

Help For Charities

  All profits accruing from the fete will be apportioned between war-time funds and local charities.  For the same good causes dances promoted by different organisations will be held either at the Windmill Hall or British Legion Hall each evening of the week.  Partner whist drives at the Legion Hall are announced for Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

  To wind-up the long sequence of supporting events Mr. Leslie Miller will stage a special concert at the Royal Theatre on Sunday, August 13^th.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 11^th August, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Two Brilliant Fete Days at Rushden Hall
Optimism Holds Sway at Holiday Gatherings

  Rushden’s third Holiday Fete, limited to two days, was of highly concentrated enjoyment and successful crowds at the leafy Hall Grounds on Monday.  They were at peace-time sea-front density and were a brilliant sight in themselves.

The first column of this article is on the fold and half of each line is missing.  I have gone to the second column.

  While Rushden people were enjoying themselves at the fete, continued the Chairman, they were also giving assistance to their fighting men and to local charities.  Last year’s fete raised £1,742, and they hoped for another good total this time.

  The Chairman added that he was tremendously grateful to Mr. John White for his untiring work and support, and to Mr. A. H. Whitton (hon. treasurer), Mr. H. Rice and Miss E. K. Bryant (hon. secretaries), Mrs. W. Robinson and all other committee members and helpers.

Cheerful Baroness

  Lady Vaux, in highly cheerful mood, spoke of the bright outlook on the war, declaring that the news warranted a high degree of optimism as to the end of the war being reached this year.  We appeared to have the Hun in the process of being beaten, and our men on the way to Berlin would not be deterred by the notice “Is your journey really necessary?”

  Commending the purpose of the fete, Lady Vaux wished it every success.

  Mr. John White moved the vote of thanks to Lady Vaux and also thanked the people of Rushden for their support, adding confidently: “I sincerely hope this will be the last fete of its kind and that the next will be a victory fete.”

  Coun. W. E. Capon, seconding, emphasized the great amount of work involved in running the fete.

  After cheers had been given for the opener, bouquets of carnations were presented by Pat Jones to Lady Vaux and by Janet Young to Mrs. Davies.

“Killjoys” Protest

  When the Baroness had presented the carnival prizes, bringing the ceremony to an end, the three “killjoys” already noted rushed up to the platform with loud cries of “We can’t have all this!” and maintained a noisy commotion, two them finally removing the inert form of the other, who had evidently been overcome by the sight of so much gaiety.

  The platform party, in addition to those mentioned earlier, included Miss Jacqueline White, Miss Y. Echerova, Miss Eva Bryant, Mr. Harry Rice, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Whitton, Coun. Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, Miss A. Sharwood, Lt.-Col. F. R. Swoger and 1^st Lt. W. M. Henson, U.S. Army, Capt. W. C. Hughes and Capt. G. Schubert, U.S.A.A.F., Mr. C. W. Horrell, J.P., C.A., Mrs. F. J. Sharwood, C.C., Coun. A. Allebone, J.P., C.A., Coun. J. Roe, C.C., Couns. J. T. Richardson, J.P., A. F. Weale, F. Green, J.P., T. W. Cox, E. A. Sugars, T. J. Swindall and J. George, Mr. T. Sanders and Mr. J. M. Bailey, M.C., M.B.E.

Parade Winners

  Parade awards were as follows:- 

  Children under 7 (character), 1 Helena Ferer (Hungarian Gipsy), 2 Patricia Jones (Bo Peep), 3 Janet Young (Hawaiian Girl), 4 Patricia Mayes (A.T.S.), special for evacuees Ronald Feltham (Rabbit).

  Children 7-14 (character), 1 Jillian Eagle (Make Do and Mend), 2 Fiona Percival (Dutch Boy), 3 Josephine Stevens (China Girl), 4 Jillian Asher, Higham Ferrers (Nursemaid), special for evacuees Rita Morton (Horse).

  Children 7-14, second group (character), 1 Josephine Franks (Old-Fashioned Lady), 2 Joan E. Chapman (Victory Queen), 3 Anthony Stevens (Wife in A.T.S.), 4 John Cook (Sweep), special for evacuees Ronald Howell (Spanish Gipsy).

  Children’s groups, 1 Harold Nicholson and Margaret Craddick (I’ll Walk Beside You), 2 Marjorie Cherry and June Osborne (Nurse and Patient), 3 Molly Myers and Olive Dalley (Hiawatha), special given by Mr. W. E. Capon, Doreen Wooding and partners (Our Gang).

  Boys 10-16, 1 John Tebbutt (A.R.P. Messenger).

  Girls 10-16, 1 Jean Heal (Snow White), 2 Shirley Heal (Cat), special given by Mr. F. J. Sharwood, Jean Hissey (Gipsy).

  Ladies, 1 Miss Cox (Chinese Mandarin), 2 Marion Heal (Victorian Lady).

  Adult groups, 1 Office Staff of J. White Ltd. (Nursery Rhymes).

  Horse and vehicle (heavy), 1 Ferrers Mere Farm Dairy, 2 Rushden Co-operative Society.

  Light turn-out, 1 J. W. Butcher.

  Decorated horse, 1 A. G. A. Abbott, 2 Tony Munslow.

  A special prize of two guineas was offered by Mr. John White to the school with the greatest number of winning entries in Rushden’s carnival parade.  Finding that South End and Alfred-street had each sent 21 entries and gained seven wins, Mr. White has awarded each school two guineas in appreciation of the support given to the carnival.

Drawn By Tractor

  The “Nursery Rhyme” group was drawn by a farm tractor.  Miss Phyllis Bryant was the parade secretary, and the judging was done by Mr. and Mrs. A. Allebone, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Rowlett, Mr. and Mrs. Capon, Mr. and Mrs. T. Sanders, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Sharwood, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Cox, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Barker, Capt. J. M. Bailey and Mr. W. V. McClelland (Grafton Underwood).  The parade was arranged by Messrs. John White’s employees.

  Gifts from the townspeople stocked a bargain market which was staffed by the W.V.S.  Teas were served in a marque by Mrs. W. Robinson’s ladies, and cups of tea were sold by the Blind Association Committee.  Sideshows were provided by the clubs, Messrs. John White, Ltd., and Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, Ltd.  Pony rides, Punch and Judy shows, swings and musical mat were amusements for the children.  A large-scale prize competition was run by the Hospital Week Committee and Trades Council.  Other competitions abounded, the prize in one case being a few bananas brought by ‘plane from Algiers.  The Town and Temperance bands gave concerts and played for dancing.

Stage Shows

  “The Peep-Show,” a professional variety entertainment, drew two large audiences and kept them thoroughly happy.  It was presented by Mr. Cally Lambert in collaboration with Mr. Leslie Miller, and the artistes were Arthur Forbes, Emmie Joyce, Col Ling Soo, Edith Price, Patricia Barrie, Norton Hancock, Harold Fletcher, Fred Lewis and Teresa Watson.

  “Hunting the Shadow” was a new version of the old finding-and-challenging game, silhouettes published in the printed programme giving the clues.  Two lively periods of intensive hunting were enjoyed as the culmination of days of argument, and the “shadows” proved to be Mrs. Don Bugby, the well-known elocutionist, Mr. W. A. E. Sharwood, headmaster of Newton-road School, Mr. T. C. Percival, manager of the Employment Exchange, and Miss Pauline Bradley,  “Echo and Argus” reporter.  The successful hunters were Mrs. Leeding, Mrs. Dickens, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Jervis, Mrs. Hart, Michael Woodley, June Deane (an evacuee) and Mrs. Minney.  They were called to the platform and received their prizes from Mrs. Bugby, Miss Bradley and Mr. Percival, Mr. J. W. Cooke staging this ceremony for the Publicity Committee.

200 Rabbits

  Hundreds of people went through a marquee where the Rushden Poultry and Rabbit Club presented its biggest and best rabbit show to date.  There were 136 entries, and about 200 rabbits were on view, with great variety among the fancy breeds, especially in the fur classes.

  Mr. A. Bailey of Rushden showed the best purebred adult and best member’s exhibit, other special members’ prizes going to Messrs. F. Chappell (best purebred youngster), W. Tew (best crossbred adult) and V. Childs (best crossbred youngster).

  The class-winners were: English, 1 Mrs. Dunn (Burton Latimer), 2 W. G. Smith, 3 A. Bigley; Dutch, 1 S. Gaegan (Burton Latimer), 2 C. J. Payne (Irchester) 3 A. Bigley; fancy youngster, 1 S. Gaegan, 2 A. Bigley, 3 T. Blackwell; Beveren, 1 A. Bailey, 2 W. E. Hooton, 3 T. R. Bowers (Grendon); fur, adult, 1 G. W. Dams, 2 T. R. Bowers, 3 Mr. Bridgford; fur, under 4 months, 1 and 3 T. R. Bowers, 2 F. Chappell; Rex, adult, 1 Mrs. J. Ward (Barton Seagrave), 2 G. Walpole, 3 J. Harvey (Irthlingborough); Rex, under 4 months, 1 Mrs. J. Ward, 2 J. Harvey, 3 G. Pack (Stanwick); utility, adult, 1 W. Tew, 2 S. E. Brown, 3 H. Penness; utility, youngster, 1 Miss Brooking (Grendon), 2 and 3 V. Childs; pairs of youngsters, 1 Miss Brooking, 2 S. E. Brown, 3 T. Blackwell; doe and litter, 1 W. C. Tarry, 2 C. W. Blacklee (Grendon), 3 A. S. Waller.

Show of Pelts

  There was also an exhibition of rabbit pelts which had been dressed by Domestic Fur Producers.  Mr. Harry Penness, secretary of the show, gave a two-tier hutch and a pair of rabbits as the prize in a competition.  The judging was carried out by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dickman, of Barton Seagrave, who are well-known as breeders and exhibitors.  Messrs. S. E. Brown (chairman), A. Bailey, F. Chappell, A. V. Childs, F. A. Thornton, A. Waller, C. Whitehead and G. Walpole formed the show committee.

  Another event related to the fete was a dance on Monday night at the Windmill Hall.  It was promoted by the Fete Dance Committee (Messrs. C. G. Perkins and A. E. Hawkes), and Mr. W. Simmons’s band was engaged.  Over 600 attended and £77 was raised.  An advance item was Saturday’s flag sale, carried out by the British Legion Women’s Section.

  Several local funds will benefit from the fete, and their committees contributed largely to the host of helpers.  St. John Ambulance Brigade members accompanied the procession and were on duty at the grounds.

Children to the Fore
Sports and Baby Show on Tuesday

  Sports for children, a baby show and whist drives in a marquee held the interest of another large crowd at Rushden Hall Grounds on Tuesday.

  Many evacuees were among the 84 baby show entries.  The judging was carried out by Dr. Margaret B. Carter, of Wollaston, in the portrait room of the Hall, Dr. R. W. Davies, J.P., Chairman of the R.U.D.C. assisting.  Results were:-

  6-12 months (32 entries), 1 John Allen, 41 Henshaw-road, Wellingborough, 2 Jean Adams, 39, Trafford-road, Rushden, 3 Robert M. Atkinson, 34, Moor-road, Rushden.

  12-18 months (23 entries), 1 John Victor Howard, 90, High-street South, Rushden, 2 Peter John Sanders, 64, Washbrook-road, Rushden, 3 David Thomas Manton, 8 High-street South, Rushden.

  18 months to 2 years (11 entries), 1 Marie Elizabeth Towers, 18, Spring-gardens, Higham Ferrers, 2 Anita Mary Waller, 6, Upper Park-avenue, Rushden, 3 Barbara Mary Peever, 36, Kimbolton-road, Higham Ferrers.

  2-3 years (18 entries): 1 Carole Joan Hooker, 53, Grove-road, Rushden, 2 David Alan Grant, 153, Queen-street, Rushden, 3 David Berger, 41, Trafford-road, Rushden.

  The winning babies were admired by the crowd when Mrs. Davies presented the prizes.

The Extra Turn

  Ernest Sewell, the noted conjuror, was a newcomer to “The Peepshow,” and at the afternoon performance found a notable ally in “Norman,” a London boy recruited from the audience.  Norman was no common stooge, but an assured and ambitious stage aspirant whose cool and ready flow of comments rejoiced both artiste and audience.

  Messrs. John White, Ltd., arranged the afternoon whist drive, and 20 tables were filled, with Mr. F. Clarke as M.C.  Mrs. R. W. Davies and Mrs. A. W. Whitton managed a drive in the evening, when there were 12 tables.

  Hundreds of children entered the sports, and their races drew the biggest audience of the day.  The officials were: Starter, Mr. J. Barker; hon. secretary, Mr. A. Pearson; handicapper, Mr. A. E. Hawkes; judges, Messrs. A. Darnell, S. Newell, C. Freeman and W. Ainge; stewards, Messrs. L. Hirons, F. Adams, R. Adams, A. Jolley, B. Farrer, A. Drage and H. Reynolds.

  Results were:-

  100 yds. girls, B. Miller 1, S. Cook 2, I. Barker 3; 100 yds. boys, J. Wiffins 1, A. Evans 2, G. Bradshaw 3; girls’ egg and spoon race, S. Palmer 1, J. Bird 2, J. Waller 3; boys’ sack race, J. Dye 1, B. Clark 2, B. Letts 3; girls’ skipping race, S. Cook 1, B. Ballard 2, S. Gilhespy 3; mixed three-legged race (girls named first), J. Eagle and J. Ekins 1, O. Wright and D. Pack 2, E. Austin and M. Knighton 3; boys’ three-legged race, M. Knighton and N. Andrews 1, G. Wiggins and R. Clark 2, B. Pond and R. Howell 3; mixed blindfold novelty race, R. Howell 1, D. Glover 2, J. Ekins 3.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 15^th September, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Holiday Fete Triumph
Two Happy Days and £1,667 Profit

  Rushden Holiday Fete, though limited to two days this year, made a profit of £1,667 – only about £100 less than was raised by a six-day fete last year.  It is proposed to present £700 to the Rushden Serving Men’s Parcels Fund, and a total of £925 to twelve other funds.

  The three committees of the fete organisation met on Thursday evening under the chairmanship of Dr. R. W. Davies, J.P., chairman of the Urban Council.  They were almost at full strength, and so well agreed about the disposal of the money that it was decided to ask the public to accept their decisions without further formality.  If, however, any objection is raised to this course, a town’s meeting will be called.

  Allocations were: Parcels Fund £700, Children’s Boot and Clothing Fund £145, Hospital Fund £125, Nursing Association £70, After-Care Fund £50, Clubs’ Fund for the Blind and Crippled Children £100, Manfield Hospital £100, W.V.S. Red Cross Fund £80, Town and County Blind Association £60, St. John Ambulance Brigade £40, Motor Ambulance Association £40, British Legion Benevolent Fund £40, Social Service Fund £75; total £1,625.

  Dr. Davies called attention to the needs of the Cottage Hospital Committee, which is now re-equipping the hospital and requires about £100 more than has already been contributed for this purpose.  It was stated, however, that the list of funds to benefit from the fete had been limited by resolution and could not be extended.  Special consideration was given to the Boot and Clothing Fund in view of its small balance and heavy responsibilities.

£2,153 Income

  Presented by Mr. A. H. Whitton (treasurer), the accounts showed a total income of £2,158  14s.  5d.  The larger items were: Efforts by John White, Ltd., £235, Old English Market £254, gates £237, manufacturers’ and tradesmen’s collection £195, Hospital prize competition £182, dances £219, side-shows £324, British Legion flag day £87, tea tent £68, rabbit show £53, concert at Royal Theatre £80, programmes £49.

  Expenses, totalling £491, included; Prizes (side-shows, parade, sports, etc.) £137, printing and advertising £91, concert party £92, bands £40.

  Moving a general vote of thanks, Coun. E. A. Sugars particularly mentioned the chairman, the Entertainments Committee chairman (Mr. John White), the secretaries (Miss Eva Bryant and Mr. Harry Rice) and the treasurer.  Mr. White, he said, gave splendid service in every direction; but for him and the secretaries the result could not have been so good.

  Seconding, Coun. J. Allen spoke of Mr. White’s “wonderful team.”

Rushden Leads

  “Rushden leads the way on these occasions, and it is something the people are proud of,” declared Coun. W. J. Sawford, who made it clear that some expenditure on transport, etc., had not been charged to the fund.

  The bank clerks who assisted the treasurer were thanked by Mr. E. Bennett, and Mr. R. Denton thanked the public of Rushden – “a wonderful public who support us whenever we do anything.”

  Mr. B. W. Williams, a comparative newcomer to the town, said he had yet to come across a population more generous – it was amazing to him.

  Mr. White, acknowledging the compliments paid to him, said: “The wonderful crowd on August Monday, looking so well and happy after five years of war, was a moving sight.”

  Several speakers agreed that there would certainly be no need for a holiday fete next year, but as some other kind of fete might be desirable it was decided to call another meeting next March.  A balance of £42 is carried forward to next year’s account.