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| Ron Lawrence, 1986 and Mavis Sharpe, 2007 |
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Toc H
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Written for the Mens Branch 50th Birthday in 1986 Toc H began in Poperinge in Flanders during 1915 when Revd. "Tubby" Clayton, an Army Chaplain, opened Talbot House and created there a home from home for men on active service in 'World War I’. The initials of Talbot House, in the Army Signallers' language of that time was "Toc H" which eventually became the name of the Movement. Talbot House however, proved to be much more than a soldiers' club. Not only did it provide all kinds of amenities - canteen, writing rooms, library etc., but the Upper Room, a large loft at the top of the house was adapted as a chapel for spiritual recreation. After the war Toc H was reborn in London, on a tiny scale, by survivors of the Ypres Salient, but by 1920 it was growing and spreading rapidly. Toc H first came to Rushden in 1936, when one or two Rushden men attended a Wellingborough Toc H Branch, and assisted by the latter, formed a Toc H group in Rushden. Their first meeting-place was a hay loft behind the then Dr. Muriset's surgery in Church Street, and became the forerunner of numerous Toc H homes in Rushden. Recently Toc H was fortunate enough to acquire its own premises, formerly belonging to the Free Gardeners Friendly Society in Portland Road. Four Toc H Women's Branches also meet there; for although Toc H began as a men's Movement, the early League of Women Helpers later became the Toc H Women's Association and eventually both men's and women's Movements were integrated in 1971. One of the main Toc H aims from its earliest days has been the giving of personal service both in local community work and in national good causes. In trying, over the years, to implement this aim, the Men's Branch has created quite a creditable record. Among the causes in which the Branch has played its part over the first fifty years are: transport for the elderly and handicapped; hospital visiting; hymn singing at old peoples' homes; providing flashing lights for the housebound; talking newspaper for the blind in Rushden; fund raising for charities; involvement in local care organisations; and the Rushden Carnival. R.R.L. Feb. 1986
The History of Toc H in Rushden I know that among the founder members were Norman Groome (Solicitor) and John Skeeles (who died during the War) Jock Tweddle. Eric Randall and Jack Allen brother of Bernard. Toc H Womens Association was formed - with Margaret Lawrence and Vera Thornton. I think Freda Parker joined shortly afterwards - because she took Eileen Maddams and Alma Witts and myself early in 1945. In those days we met at the Congregational Chapel in Church Street - now Salvation Army - then to a room at the factory of George Selwoods in Harborough Road. During the Winter we had to go at 5.30 p.m. to put the heating on (no cars available so I used to walk from Portland Road to Harborough Road back home to Quorn Road and then back to Harborough Road for 7.30). The Rushden Darby and Joan Club was formed by this Branch - I think in 1951 - Peggy Lawrence ran it until it closed. Meetings were held on Tuesday evenings but every 6 weeks on a Monday with the Men's Group. The Branches didn't really need to get beyond 20 members - fellowship was very important so in 1957 the Members who were living in the new Queen Street Estate left the Rushden Branch and joined up with Members of the Court Estate Branch - we were called the Royal Branch - the older Branch then called itself the Oakley Branch because they were meeting at the Oakley Arms. Earlier in 1952 the Rushden Branch had helped form the Higham Ferrers Ladies Branch. Again later members split from the Oakley Branch and formed the Pytchley Branch a few years later an Afternoon Branch was formed - so at one stage we had 4 Women's Branches and 1 Men's Toc H Branch in Rushden. Mavis Sharpe, 2008 |
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