TEA AND BALL—On Monday last a tea followed by a ball was provided in the National Schools, in connection with the National Brass Band. A great many availed themselves of the opportunity of attending the ball. The tea was well served, and a fair number sat down.

BAND SUPPER—On Monday evening the members and friends of the National School Brass Band sat down to an excellent supper in the National Infant School, which was kindly lent for the evening by the Rector. Among those present and visiting were the Rev. Canon Barker, Messrs. W. and J. Claridge, D. Dickens, and C. Lewis.

TEA AND DANCE—On Saturday evening last the Rushden National School Band gave a tea in the National School. The company numbered about seventy, including the Rev. Canon Barker, who wished the leaders of the Band every success. Dancing was kept up until ten o'clock. Some very interesting pieces were given by the Band, and songs were sung by several of the company. Most of the instruments in the Band belong to the members, and the proceeds of the meeting are to be devoted to a fund for purchasing more instruments.

Band Sports at Rushden—On Saturday afternoon some sports were held in the Cricket Gound, under the auspices and for the benefit of the National School Band. The Kettering Rifle Volunteer Band, under Mr. Foster (bandmaster), attended, and united with the National School Band, under Mr. Bacon, in playing a very choice selection of music between the races, including "The Heavens are telling," the "Hallelujah," and other choruses from the great masters, and "Chough and Crow," and other classical pieces of secular music. The weather was delightfully fine, but the company was not large, not more than 100 being present. The races were exceedingly good, the finish being so close in several of them that not more than three feet divided the first three competitors. The judging of Messrs. J. Claridge and S. Colson gave universal satisfaction, and the handicapping of Messrs. Wilby and Denton secured a large number of competitors and some very close finishes. In the boys race Pruden won after a sharp struggle by one yard, Bacon being close up for third. In the 100 yards professional Bamford won the first heat well by a yard from Foreman, with F. Owen close up. The second heat T. Parker managed to win by about a foot from Smith, a similar distance separating Whiteman and Small in the third heat, while Johnson only just took the fourth heat on the tape. Dobbs won the fifth heat easier, as did Allen the sixth. For the final a very good race was run, Allen winning by two feet, with Dobbs a good third. In the 100 yards amateurs' there was not much to notice, Mason winning on the tape the first heat; a foul occurred in the second between Ashford and Billingham, and won by G. Denton, G. Bull winning the third easy, as did Houghton the fourth. In the final J. Houghton was first, S. Denton second, and G. Bull third, not more than two feet dividing the three. In the 440 yards professional, first heat, only Evans passed the post, and in the second heat Johnson ran in as he liked, the others pulling up. In the third heat Stevenson won easily. The final was a capital race. Evans put on a spurt after 100 yards had been gone over, and took second place, but failed to overtake Stevenson, who won by three yards; Evans 2nd, and Johnson 3rd. 440 yards amateurs'race: In the first heat G. Denton was 1st by three yards, Mason 2nd; in the second heat Denton 1st, and Houghton 2nd; in the final Bull was 1st, Denton 2nd, and Mason 3rd; won easy. 880 yards professional race: N. Gilbert 1st, Ridley 2nd, and Mabbutt 3rd; a very exciting finish, not more than a yard dividing the three. After the sports the bands played for dancing.

In the evening a splendid supper was placed on the tables in the National Infant Schools by Mrs. Wood, to which the members of the two bands and their friends, to the number of about 60, did ample justice. The cloth having been removed, the Chairman, Mr. Bandmaster Bacon, said he had a very pleasant duty to perform, and as their friends would be wanting to leave to catch the train, he should like at once to propose the health of those gentry and tradespeople who had subscribed to the sports that day. The toast was very heartily responded to. The Chairman next said he found he should have to curtail the toast list so as to allow of a sing song together. But he had great pleasure in proposing "Success to the Kettering Rifle Volunteer Band," and to thank them for their assistance that day. This acquaintance with the band and its excellent conductor was only of short duration, and it was commenced as by accident, but the reception they met with at Kettering had placed them under an obligation to their Kettering friends that he felt a difficulty in discharging, and which he was sure the Rushden Band would never forget. The toast was given with musical honours. Mr. Foster responded, and said he was sure the Kettering Band were as well pleased with their reception at Rushden as the Rushden Band had been at Kettering, and he hoped the union of the bands might continue. He proposed the health of the Rushden Band. This was received with musical honours by the visitors from Kettering. The toasts of "The Handicappers," "The Judges," and "The Press," followed, after which the meeting took a convivial turn, songs and recitations being given by several of the company. The following was the programme of the sports:—

900 Yards Handicap Flat Race, for boys under 15, 7 yards allowed for each year under that age. First prize, 7s. 6d; second, 5s.; third 2s. 6a. 1 A Pruden, Rushden; 2 R. Clarke, Rushden; 3 A W Bacon, Rushden. Other competitors—A. Chettle, E. Greaves, A. Head, G. White T. Baker, R. Roberts, and W. Pantlin, all of Rushden.

100 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional). First prize, £1 10s.; second, 10s.; third 5s.— First heat: 1 W. Bamford, Northampton, 2 yds.; 2 Foreman, Rushden, 7½. Other competitors: F. Owen, Kettering; and George Miles, Wellingborough.—Second heat: 1 T. Parker, Higham Ferrers, 44; 2 G. Smith, Bozeat, 2. Other competitors: G. Payne, Northampton; F. Tabor, Capt. N.R.F.C.; J. Dobbs, Bozeat; W. Darker, Kettering.—Third heat: 1 W. Whiteman, Irthlingborough, 5. Other competitors: G. Small, Northampton: G. Braines, Kettering: G. Stevenson, Kettering.—Fourth heat: 1 W. Johnson, Bozeat, 3½; 2 J. Cooper, Kettering, 12. Other competitors: W. Bennett and T. Alley, Northampton; T. Draper, Higham Ferrers.— Fifth heat: 1 Dobbs, Bozeat, 2 J. Wilson, Wellingborough, 6. Other competitors: J. Cockle and T. Abbott, Northampton; H. Bridgeford, Kettering. Sixth heat: 1 W. Allen, Northampton, 6½; 2 W. Evans, Higham Ferrers, scratch. Other competitors: H. Johnson, Kettering; A. Allen, Wellingborough; and W. Boswell. Final heat: 1 Allen.

100 Yards Handicap Flat Race (amateurs). First prize value £1; second 10s.; third 5s. — First heat: 1 C. Mason, Rushden, 5; 2 W. Lewis, Rushden, 54. Other competitors: D. Love, Northampton; C. Bull and H. Chettle, Rushden,— Second heat: 1 S. Denton, Rushden, 34; 2 W. Ashford, Irthlingborough, 4. Other competitors: J. Denton, and H. Billingham, Rushden.—Third heat: 1 G. Bull, Rushden, 4; 2 H. Felce, Higham Ferrers, scratch. Other competitors: L. Starmer, Northampton; T. Fuller, Rushden; E. Smith, Wellingborough. Fourth heat: 1, J. Houghton, Irthlingborough, 6; 2 A. Houghton, Irthlingborough, 5. Other competitors: F. Davey, Northampton; T. King and W. Gross, Rushden.—Final heat: 1 J. Houghton, 2 S. Denton, 3 G. Bull.

440 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional). First prize £1; second 10s.; third 5s.—First beat: 1 W. Evans, Higham Ferrers, 15; 2 G. Smith, Yardley, 18. Other competitors: G. Brains and Bailey. Kettering: H. Ridley, Northampton; T. Parker, Higham Ferrers; T. Hall and W. Allen, Wellingborough. —Second heat: 1 W. Johnson, Bozeat. Other competitors: Cockle; G. Martin and C. Denton, Kettering; J. Stuart, Yardley; J. Mabbutt and A. Allen, Wellingborough; J. Byrne, Irthlingborough; N. Gilbert, Rushden.—Third heat: 1 G. Stevenson, Wellingborough, 28: 2 D. Dobbs, Bozeat, 25. Other competitors: H. Johnson, Kettering; T. Draper and P. Wright, Higham Ferrers; T. Wilson and T. Abbott,Wellingborough; C. Draper, W. Whiteman.—Final heat: 1 Stevenson, 2 Evans, 3 Johnson.

440 Yards Handicap Flat Race (amateurs). First prize value £1; second 10s.; third 5s.—First heat: 1 G. Bull, Rushden, 18; 2 C. Mason, Rushden, 20. Other competitors: D. Love, Northampton; J. Houghton and W. Ashford, Irthlingborough; J. Denton, Rushden.—Second heat: 1 S. Denton, Rushden, 18; 2 A. Houghton, Irthlingborough, 16. Other competitors: C. Bull, H. Billingham, T. King, and W. Lewis, Rushden.—Final heat: 1 Bull, 2 Denton, 3 Mason.

880 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional). First prize £1; second 10s.; third 5s.—1 N. Gilbert, Rushden, 55 ; 2 H. Ridley, Northampton, 55; 3 J. Mabbutt, Wellingborough, 55. Other competitors: G. Martin, G. Brains, W. Bailey, L. Pratt, and J. Cooper, Kettering; J. Stuart, Yardley; J. Byrne, Irthlingborough; T. Abbott, Northampton; P. Wright, Higham Ferrers ; D. Dobbs, Bozeat; A. Allen and T. Hall, Wellingborough; and C. Draper, Higham Ferrers.

WHITSUNTIDE—The holiday season was proclaimed on Saturday evening by the National School Band parading the village playing some very excellent marches, and the Temperance Brass Band giving a promenade concert on the Green. The following programme was capitally rendered:—March, "Centenary," (C. Godfrey); overture, "Masquiello," (Auber); recit., trombone, "And God made the firmament," (Haydn); solo and chorus, "Marvellous works;" Bolero, from Verdi's opera; "Attilla," (by J. Rivers); selection, "Il Gurmento," (Merca-dante); valse, "Leila;" solo polka, "Empress;" nautical fantasia, "Honoria," (contest piece, R. Smith); "God Save the Queen."

Rushden Local Intelligence
Musical—The Temperance Band journeyed to Luton last Sunday, and gave a good programme to a large audience. The National Band go to Peterborough next Sunday.

Meat Tea—A meat tea was held by the National School Band on Monday evening, Mr Stevens in the chair.—The Secretary read the report, which shewed that the receipts of the band amounted to £216 4s. 10½d., and the expenditure was £212 16s. 10½d., leaving a balance of £3 8s. A convivial meeting was spent in songs and harmony.

The Argus, Friday Dec 27th 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden During 1889 - A Retrospect (only part of this item exists in the paper it is copied from)
......caused most interest in this respect was the double victory of the National Band in the latter part of the summer season. Our local musicians can hold their own amongst the generality of Northern Bands, excepting of course the “Dykes”, “Besses”, and a few other “cracks”.

THE NATIONAL BAND AT PETERBOROUGH— This band gave two concerts in the Drill Hall Peterborough, last Saturday, both concerts being much appreciated. The following were the pieces rendered: — First concert: March, "Palmer House," Pettee; fantasia, "Joan of Arc," H Round; trombone solo, "The death of Nelson," Braham Mr. H. Clayton; selection, "Romeo and Juliet," H. Round; euphonium solo, "There is a green Hill," Gounod, Mr. W. Bird; selection "Great Britain," Round. Second concert: March "Albion," Dodsworth; selection, "II Bravo," Mercadante; cornet solo, "The Lost Chord" Sullivan, Mr. G. Thacker; overture, "Excelsior" Round; waltz, "The Silver Wedding," Embury selection,"Maritaua," Wallace; National Anthem.

Rushden National Prize Band
The above Band will give a CONCERT at FINEDON, on Sunday, May 18th; also at IRTHLINGBOROUGH the same day.

The Argus, 27th January 1893, transcribed by Kay Collins

Local Intelligence
National Prize Silver Band —This Band gave another of their popular concerts in the Public Hall on Sunday evening, when the building was literally packed with a music loving and appreciative audience. The whole of the splendid programme was well rendered, Mr. George Bacon occupying the chair, and Mr. G. Farey presiding at the piano:—Selection, "Tannhauser" Band ; song "Aloft" Mr. T. Fuller; violin solo, "Devil's sonata", Mr. S. Brown; recitation, "Charley Lathom's Pard", Mr. C. C. West; song, "Tired", (encored, and "Ora Pro Nobis" given), Mrs. Corbett; cornet duet, "Honest and true" Messrs. R. H. Cooper and S. Hullatt; quartet, "Crossing the Bar" (Tennyson), Mrs. Corbett, Miss Fuller, Messrs. G. Partridge and T. Fuller; Descriptive fantasia (by special request), Synopsis of movements, "Forge in the forest" (Anon); Adagio, Night; Adagio Lento, Morning (the larks and cuckoo are heard); Allegro Vivace "On the river" (clock strikes 5 a.m.); Adagio, Morning prayer; Allegretto Finale, "The smith at his anvil".

Rushden Argus, 21^st April 1893, transcribed by Kay Collins

Music on the Green—The National Band will give a sacred concert on the Green on Sunday afternoon at 2.30. Solo cornet and conductor, Mr G F Birkenshaw.—Collections in aid of the band fund.