Northampton Chronicle & Echo, 26^th May 1962

Rushden's Queen of Industry

Poster for the dance 1962

Her attendants will be: Miss Bridget Kehoe (16), of 20, Boundary-avenue, Rushden, who works at Rushden C.W.S. footwear branch and Miss Anna Jewell (18), of 20, York-close. Higham Ferrers, a typist in the C.I.D. department at Rushden police station.

They were chosen from 15 contestants at a dance at the Windmill Hall, attended by over 400.

The judges were: Lieut-Col. and Mrs. D. M. Dorr (Wellingborough) and Mr. and Mrs. P. Jameson Lilley (Sharnbrook). The chairman of the fete Mr. H W. Catlin thanked them.

Crowning Day

Refreshments were arranged by the W.V.S. and the profits of these will go to the "Meals on Wheels" van fund.

The queen will be crowned in Spencer Park on June 21, the day of Rushden Chamber of Trade's exhibition, and at the same time the new van will be handed over to the meals service.

The queen will preside over the town's charity fete and carnival parade on June 23.

Carnival is Full of Promise

The carnival, which gets under way with a colourful parade through Rushden, has several new attractions, mainly for the younger generation; roundabouts, model railway rides and portraits while you wait.

At the park, where the carnival is being held for the first time, there will be the usual variety of sideshows, run by most local organisations, all helping to raise money for charities.

Arena events, due to start at 5 p.m. will include a seven-a-side rugby match and model aeroplane display, a safe cycling display, trick cyclists, sledge racing and a marching demonstration by a Wellingborough band.

Fanny Adams

On the bandstand during the afternoon and evening will be two Rushden jazz bands, the combined Rushden Town and Mission Bands, and a play put on by the town dramatic society – “Unhand Me, Squire, or Much Ado about Sweet Fanny Adams.”

The prize-winners in the parade, which proceeds from the park via Wellingborough Road and High Street and back again, will receive their awards from the Rushden Carnival Queen of Industry, Miss Valerie Ainge, who will also open the afternoon’s proceedings.

The parade – it has ten classes – will include the usual selection of tableaux, works entries, fancy dress entrants, and a special comic section.

The bowling greens and tennis courts will be in use – in addition to the putting green – and special matches have been arranged for both to coincide with the day’s events.

Higham Ferrers, Rushden and District Chamber of Trade’s exhibition, opened last night, is another feature of the carnival. Ten local traders are displaying a range of products in the chamber’s marquee.

The day will end with a display of fireworks, arranged by Rushden firemen.

Carnival of Records
More people give more money – total should reach £1,400

Record profits and a record attendance at the fete grounds – that was Rushden carnival, 1962. Takings are expected to total about £1,400, and about £800 of this, thanks to the generosity of the townsfolk and visitors, will be distributed among local charities.

Chairman of the Carnival Fete Committee, Mr. H. W. Catlin, said on Saturday night: “I am a tired but very happy chairman.” He was “highly delighted” with the attendances, the organisation, and particularly with the way the money had been rolling in.

Of the standard of entertainment provided by groups and individuals from Rushden and elsewhere he said: “I think it is something we should all be proud of.”

He added that Spencer Park, which was used for the first time, was an appropriate setting for the carnival. It was more central for Higham Ferrers people and visitors from the surrounding towns and villages, and overall provided a more compact area.

Above: The Life Boys' carnival entry
Above right: ‘Over the Rainbow’ by H W Chapman Ltd. Below Right: ‘Round the World’ by Rosebud Dolls Ltd.

Really Good

Mr. A. E. Goulsbra, the committee treasurer, says that after expenses about £800 will be available for distribution – about £50 more than last year and a record.

“Street collections were up the organisation ran smoothly, and it was a really good day, he said. It was the best of the three carnivals for which he had been treasurer.

The parade on its own realised £196, mainly in pennies. About £90 of this had been counted by a team of 12 when the procession reached Spencer Park. The committee’s idea, therefore, to count the money en route proved “very successful,” although this was only a fraction of the work involved – some 12,000 adults and children visited the fete.

Stone Age

Members of Rushden Query Motor Club featured in most of the carnival antics this year as a gathering of Stone Age Men, complete with Stone Age hut on wheels.

Their abode, the idea of club member Mr. Steve Joyce, was daubed with catchy slogans, and it was good enough to win the Co-operative Carnival Trophy for being the best exhibit on show.

Firemen

Local firemen were largely responsible for collecting money from upstairs windows and balconies – on their escape ladders.

Other entries, individuals or in groups, all played their part with buckets and collecting tins. About 180 tins were carried on the parade.

The fete ground, with its arena events, stalls, sideshows and exhibitions, was the focal point of carnival activities for about eight hours. People flocked there – and stayed – adding by their numbers to what could only be described as a colourful, enjoyable day.

Awards

Individual: walking fancy get-up, comic or characteristic, children under 7: 1 Denise Hayes (Ascot Lady), 2 Jacqueline Sweeting (Flanders Poppy), 3 Stephen Chettle (Bandsman in the Guards); 8-11 years: 1 Martin Joyce (Keep Rushden Tidy), 2 Ronald Sharp (Scarecrow), 2 Leslie Parker (Chinese Man); adult: 1 Mrs. V. Luck (Queen of the Roses).

Comic group, walking or mobile: 1 Query Motor Club (Stone Age Men) also Co-operative Carnival Trophy, 2 R. Cherry, B. Keech, M. Millard and R. Silver (OAS Bandits); Pairs, comic or characteristic, walking or cycling: 1 Mrs. J. Bird and son (Pearly King and Queen), 2 Misses S. Hart and P. Beveridge(“Do It Rourself”), 3 Misses Buckley and Eyre (Beatniks).

Open tableaux, works or factory: 1 Rosebud Dolls (around the World), 2 Vehicle Hire and Supply Co. (Alice in Wonderland), 3 BRS Social Club, Irthlingborough (Wizard of Oz); other than works or factory; 1 Rushden Alfred Street Infant School (winter Playtime), 2 Penny Jarvis (The Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain and the Commonwealth), 3 The Cycle Club Northants.

Decorated commercial vehicle: 1 Scott-Bader and Co. Ltd (Scott-Bader Commonwealth), 2 Petrofina, Great Britain, 3 East Midlands Gas Board. Company turn-out: 1 Higham Boys’ Brigade, 2 3rd Rushden St. Peter’s Scouts, 3 Rushden St. John Ambulance Cadets. female: 1 Northants Safe Cycling Team, 2 1st Rushden St. Peter’s Guides, 3 St. John’s Nursing Cadets.

Flower Show

Roses any variety: 1 H. Childs, 2 F. L. Sears; one variety: 1 Mrs. V. F. Street, 2 H. Childs: three varieties: 2 Mrs. E. Whitehead. Delphiniums: 2 Mrs. H. Faulkner. Pansies: 1 W. Clipson: special: Mary Clark. Perennials: Mrs. V. F. Street; mixed perennials: 2 Mary Clark and W. Clipson. Pot Plants: flowery: 1 J. A. Munns, 2 E. fowell: two specials: J. A. Munns; foliage: 1 J. A. Munns, 2 D. B. Munns. Foliage: 1 A. Munns, 2 D. B. Clarke. Flower arrangements: Miss L. I. Clipson, 2 Mrs. Benning. Special: Mary Clark; posy bowl arrangement: 1 Valerie Panther, 2 Luciana Miakar.

Spring cabbage: 1 E. Inwood, 2 N. Lamford; lettuce: 2 W. Clipson. Peas: 1 E. Fowell, 2 N. Lamford; salad group: 2 N. Lamford. Strawberries, special prize only: J. C. D. Tingle; gooseberries: 1 N. Lamford 2 J. C. D. Tingle.

Handicrafts

Handwork, 5-7 years: 1 S. Copson, 2 K. Dickerson, 3 D. Payne; specials: K. Dunkley and S. Sawford; plain needlework: 8-11 years: 1 Elizabeth Newell, 2 Susan Valentine; 12-16 years: 1 Penny Jarvis. Embroidery: 8-11 years: 1 Janis Cleaton, 2 Ann Paragreen, 3 Pauline Wright. Specials: Jackie West, Ann Jones, Elizabeth Jane Young and Susan Annis: 12-16 years: 1 Susan Sutton, 2 Mary ?; 8-11 years: 1 Kay Pinnock 2 Julie Mawby, 3 Janis Hudson; 12-16 years: 1 Kay Pinnock, 2 Julie Childs. Soft toys: 1 Sandra Hart, 2 Susan Sutton, 3 Valerie Oatridge; specials: Shirley Moore, Kaye Goulsbra, and Katherine Tompkins.

Miscellaneous: 8-11 years: 1 E. Graham, 2 S. Waller, 3 R. Warren; 12-16 years: 1 R. Whiting, 2 C. Dowsett. Elementary pottery: 1 J. Kitchener, 2 N. Allen. Advanced pottery: 1 T. Allen, 2 R. Reynolds. Woodwork: 1 T. Allen, 2 R. Reynolds, 3 G. Cutmore. Metalwork: 1 M. Wheatley. Tapestry: 1 Jonathon Willmott, 2 Katherine Millet, 3 Janis Hudson. Applique pictures: 1 Rosemarie Allen, Jennifer Thomas, 3 Judith Ireson. Wild flowers: 1 Jill Driver, 2 Janis Childs, 3 Susan Valentine. Specials: Christine Archer, Marylyn Weekley, Susan Newell, Elaine Parker and Ann Lilley.