Rushden Research Group: Amenities Society founded

The Amenities Society

Rushden Hall - saved by the Amenities Society (see below)

The Rushden Echo, 24th February 1967, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Amenities Society being formed - Weekend Meeting at Rushden Hall

This could be a vital weekend in the controversial story of Rushden Hall. A special meeting is being called in Hall Park to form a Rushden Amenities Society. First project on the agenda: “To preserve and save as much of Rushden Hall as possible.

But will any decision or action taken at the meeting influence Rushden Urban Council?

The Parks Committee met on Wednesday and it is quite possible that a comprehensive report, costs involved and a final recommendation on the hall’s future will be put to the full council next Wednesday.

One of the principle movers behind a Rushden Amenities Society is Rushden photographer Mr. A. J. George. He told the “Echo” that he wanted to see as much of the hall saved as possible and put to the use of Rushden townspeople.

The idea of Sunday’s meeting, which will be held in the tea-room at the hall, starting at 2.30 pm, was to elect officers and get the society officially launched.

Mr. George said various local clubs and organisations for adults and young people had been invited to be represented.

In a letter sent out by Mr. George and Mr. Clive Wood, 80 Washbrook Road, Rushden the society’s aims are listed as:

“The preservation and use of Rushden Hall by the townspeople; to offer our services to the council if a public fund is launched and to work with them whenever and wherever possible for the improvement of our town; to watch all town and neighbourhood developments and to help similar organisations that have helped us.”

Mr. George said one of the original arguments for demolishing the hall was that there was no use for it.

“I have contacted various clubs and organisations and I have found at least three who are looking for a room,” he said.

“We are holding this meeting in the hall to establish the fact that it can be used by the townspeople.”

There is no doubt that there is plenty of support for saving Rushden Hall. Mr. George was one of the people who organised a petition which was signed by over 700 people.

In fact the council’s – or rather the Parks Committee’s – deliberations on the future of the hall have been guided by the amount of public feeling in the town.

What the Parks Committee will propose and recommend will not be known to the general public until Wednesday when the committee’s report goes before the full council.

Chairman of the Parks Committee, Mr. R. R. Griffiths, would not give away any secrets, but he did say that if they were able to keep to their planned programme they should be in a position to present a full report with proposals for the hall’s future at the next council meeting.

Neutral

Mr. Griffiths said he had received an invitation to attend Sunday’s meeting and he proposed to be there.

The neutral chairman at Sunday’s meeting will be county councillor Mr. G. W. Marriott.

In many respects it is a great pity this meeting could not have been held very much earlier, or after next Wednesday. There are bound to be many questions left unanswered.

The cost, how the council propose to raise the money, what use the hall will be put to and exactly what part is to be saved and what is to be destroyed.

The Rushden Echo, 3rd March 1967, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Aim: to preserve and improve looks of town - Amenities Society is Formed at Rushden

Rushden has an Amenities Society. It was formed on Sunday and will tackle the task of preserving Rushden Hall as its first objective. If this aim is achieved it could quickly establish a formidable reputation in the town.

It was stressed, however, by Mr. G. W. Marriott, later elected the first chairman, that it is no good having a single scheme.

“An amenities society will not exist on one project. It must be a permanent society,” he said.

The meeting to form a society was held at Rushden Hall and this was the main topic throughout with various townspeople giving their views on the ancient building, described by one young woman as “our heritage.”

Informed

The society had its informal beginnings last October when four people decided that the town needed such a society.

Instigators of this scheme were Mr. A. J. George and Mr. C. Wood, who was later elected secretary.

“There is a nucleus already and this afternoon we hope to get the society officially launched,” said Mr. Marriott, opening Sunday’s meeting.

Mr. George said they were holding the meeting in Rushden Hall to establish the fact that it could be used “as a meeting place for the townspeople.”

Of the amenities society, Mr. George said its aim should be “to preserve and improve the looks of the town.”

“Our immediate aim is to restore Rushden Hall but it is no use restoring it just to look at. Four of the groups represented here have to find a new meeting place shortly. It will not be ready in time for that, but they may need it later,” he said.

One Room

Mr. George added that it might be hoped to restore one room a year, “so that they could be let for meetings such as this.”

Mrs. E. Young did not think the meeting should be tied up precisely with the hall; however, her primary concern was that the hall should be preserved for future generations.”

“The place is worth more than just money. If there was one other place which was comparable with it I would not feel so strongly, but we have nothing else in the town,” she said.

Miss Joy Brown, representing the Cosmopolitan Club, said that preserving Rushden Hall was “not just sentiment but good sense.”

Miss Brown thought the young people were probably even more in favour of keeping the hall than anyone else.

Two Voices

Miss Brown said most residents thought that young people wanted it and everything else like it pulled down.

“They are not right. We have about 35 members in our club and I have only heard two voices raisedagainst preserving the hall,” she said.

Mr. Wood said the first task would be to preserve Rushden Hall; other tasks could then be dealt with as they arose.

Mr. Pack of Higham Ferrers Amenities Society said his society would follow with interest the development of the Rushden society.

Mr. Pack added: “Although we are living over the border, we have been appalled at the suggestion that Rushden Hall should be knocked down.”

Mrs. May Knight said that as the town was so poor in beauty, something at least should be kept beautiful.

Receptions

Suggestions for making use of the hall included using it for meetings, wedding receptions, and for old people’s welfare.

Officers elected were: President, Mr. R. Griffiths; chairman, Mr. G. W. Marriott; secretary, Mr. C. Wood; treasurer, Mr. Larmen.

Committee: Individuals, Mr. A. J. George, Mrs. E. Young, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. J. Booth, Mrs. M. Knight. Organisations, to be confirmed: Rushden and District Winemakers Guild, Rushden Cosmopolitan Club, Townswomen’s Guild, WVS and the two Rushden camera clubs.

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