Rushden Research Group: Skittles

The Rushden & District Skittles League
& Club Union Skittles

Rushden Echo & Argus, 12th October 1906, transcribed by Kay Collins

A Skittle Handicap, for which there were about 100 entries, finished at the Athletic Club on Monday. Winners:- C. W. Barker 47, W. Gross 45, W. and R. Boddington 41 each (divided). C. W. Barker won the special for highest throw, 54.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 12th October 1906, transcribed by Kay Collins

Skittles - A match in the Club Union Skittles Competition was played at the W.M.C. on Monday, the visitors being from the Trade Union Club. The trade union won by 45 – 33.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 12th October 1906, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Band Club Skittle Team were visited by Ringstead W.M.C. on Saturday. The teams played two games, the first being in the Club Union Cup, which ended in a win for Rushden by 47 – 39, and the second being in the District League, Rushden winning by 68 – 48.


This little badge was rescued from a tip in Irthlingborough in 1939 by Mr Toop. A winner in the season of 1907/08, it belonged to Mr. A. "Tommy" Parker who had lived at 8 Tannery Cottages in Irthlingborough, .

Rushden Echo, 14th February 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins

Skittles—A match at the Athletic Club last Friday between the league team and a scratch team was won by the former by 70-66.

Rushden Echo, 14th February 1908, transcribed by Kay Collins

Skittles—The Trade Union Club on Saturday defeated Rushden Rotary Engineers by 48-36.

The 1915 Skittle Team included Thomas Short (left front row)


The medal presented to Thomas Short in 1915.


Medal 1920-21

Rushden Echo and Argus, Friday 20th April 1934, transcribed by Susan Manton

Skittles Champion of Rushden Clubs

The final of the eleventh Rushden Individual Skittles Championship, open to the united clubs of Rushden, were held at the Town Band Club on Saturday. There had been about 130 entrants and the eliminations attracted considerable interest among the skittle players.

The final was keenly contested between Mr. W. Burgess (of the Windmill Club) and Mr. T. Barcock (of the Conservative Club) and eventually Mr. Burgess won by 11 chalks to 4. He was presented with the handsome challenge cup by the President (Mr. F. Cross) who presented the runner-up cup to Mr. Barcock. Both men also received gold medals. Mr. W. Robinson was secretary of the championship.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 9th May 1958, transcribed by Kay Collins

Skittles Dinner Ceremony

Over seventy members and guests attended the Rushden Town Band Club skittles dinner and dance held at the club on Friday

A pewter tankard was presented to the team on behalf of Lants, Ltd., mineral water manufacturers, by Mr. W. Vaughan, a representative of the firm.

Among the club's achievements were the "A" team's victory in the Rushden, Wellingborough and Kettering Area Club Skittles Union competition and the winning of the Rushden individual championship by their captain, Mr. G. Voss, with Mr. J. Brittain, runner-up.

On Saturday the team travelled to Bedford to meet Northampton Brayfield in the County final and added another victory by winning the championship.

At Northampton on May 7 Mr. Voss will compete in the final for the Pepper Cup, and Mr. Brittain will be among the last four for the throw-off for the Gold Watch.