Mr. J. W. Waite said that the president and vice-presidents of the club had been written to, and expressed themselves in favour of the proposal.

The Chairman said he believed there were over a thousand cyclists in Rushden alone and there should be enough to carry out a parade in good style without any outside help. In addition to that, they might have cyclists joining in from Higham, Irthlingborough, Finedon, Kettering, and Wellingborough.

Mr. Ashby proposed that a parade be held and said his experience led him to believe that what Rushden people took in hand would be carried out well.

Mr. Morris seconded the proposition which was carried.

On behalf of the Ambulance Corps Mr. L. Baxter said the members offered their services as collectors.

Twenty-two of those present expressed their determination to take part in the parade.

Mr. Morris proposed and Mr. T. T. Clarke seconded that the parade be held on a Saturday, and this was carried.

It was decided on the motion of Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr. Langley, to hold the parade on Saturday November 4th.

It was also resolved on the motion of Mr. Ashby, seconded by Mr. T. T. Clarke, to hold two parades, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

The meeting decided to give the proceeds to the Ambulance Society.

Mr. J. W. Waite was appointed secretary and Mr. Hirons treasurer.

The following were appointed a committee to carry out the arrangements:- Messrs. Langley, T. Fuller, Moody, Adnitt, E. Knight, H. Tye, and Payne, with the committee of the Beaumont Cycling Club and the Ambulance Corps Committee.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding over the meeting and lending the room was heartily accorded.

The Proposed Cycle Parade – Prospects Good

A meeting of the Cycle Parade Committee was held at the Alfred-street Schools on Wednesday night. Mr S Hirons presided and among those also present were Messrs J W Waite (hon. Sec.), Arthur Cave, J A Langley, Bailey, Fuller, J C Wright, L Baxter, E Cunnington, T T Clark, A C Ashby, W H Moody, G Turner, S Brightwell, Flood, E Knight, and A Sargent.

Tradesmen’s Support

The Chairman said that since the last meeting Mr Langley and himself had pretty-well tired the patience of the tradespeople in asking them for their support. They had, however, met with very hearty support, and he had to report that prizes had been promised by Messrs J W Ashdowne, S Powell, G Miller, Darnell, Tomlinson, C Smith, Knight and Son, Anthony Dawson, Ashby, Moody, Sedgman, Jowitt, H Shapre, W Webb, Gourlay, Staniland, C H Knight, Nattrass, Webb, G Ward, J Cave and Sons, T T Clark, W Sanders, and W Green and Sons, Mesdames Carter and Litchfield, and Misses Brown and Tester and Fisher, and Busby’s Boot Palace. Cash donations had been received from Messrs The Osmond Cycle Co., W Timpson, Freeman, Hardy and Willis, Thomas and Potter, W Dulley and Son, Barrett, Phillips, Tall, Wilkerson, Clipson, Wilmott, H Tillett, F Newman, Baker, C E Knight, Owen, S T Karn, Roberson, H H Hobbs, H Chester, Blackwell, Pingston, Seckington, H Skinner, G Evans, W W Smith, Everingham and King, R Marriott, Northern, E Bayes, Knight (draper), Beaverstock, Wooding, McDowall, Plamer and Battersby, Taily and Putnam, Saby Knight, Newbold, Cartwright, Fletcher, Tusting, Fountain, Jenkins, Edwards, H Knight, Desboro, Nunneley, Barker, A Smith, and J H Robinson. The total amount promised and given was £17 6s. Continuing, the Chairman said he had been told he was

The Champion Cadger

of the town, and he had certainly done his best to deserve the title. He thought they need see no fear but that the parade would be a big success. Miss Sartoris, on behalf of her mother, had written giving the committee the use of the drive in the Hall grounds for the judging of the cycles which were decorated, on condition that the privacy of the rest of the grounds was respected.

A vote of thanks was passed to Miss Sartoris, and Mr Langley moved that the donors of prizes and subscriptions should be thanked through the Press.

Mr Cave seconded the motion, and said he thought the subscribers had responded handsomely.

The motion was carried unanimously.

It was resolved, at the suggestion of the Chairman and Mr Langley, that the resolution to devote the whole of the proceeds to the Ambulance Corps by rescinded and that the object of the parade be announced as for the benefit of local institutions.

In this connection, Mr Baxter said the public seemed to be under a wrong impression with regard to the proposition of the Ambulance Corps. Although they had a big benefit last year the whole of the money was spent for the benefit of the public and there was a very small balance in hand.

Cheap Tickets

would, it was announced by the Chairman, be issued by the Midland Company from Leicester, Market Harborough, Desborough, Kettering, Isham, Finedon, Northampton, Bedford, Oakley, Sharnbrook, and Wellingborough.

The Prizes

Messrs Langley, Ashby, and Moody, each offered the use of their windows for the display of the prizes and it was resolved that each gentleman should display the prizes in turn.

A sub-committee was appointed to allot the prizes, and was constituted as follows:- Messrs Bailey, Langley, H Tye, T Fuller, and G Turner, with the Chairman and secretary as ex-officio members.

Cycling Carnival at Rushden
Splendid Procession

Since Rushden can produce in unfavourable weather so excellent a cycle parade as that which graced our streets on Saturday last there is no room for doubt that, given more congenial meteorological conditions, a striking success would be achieved; and we are pleased to learn that the promoters are so satisfied with the result of their labours that the carnival will become an annual event. A hard-working committee, of which Mr. J. W. Waite was the hon. secretary, carried out the various arrangements most completely. Mr. S. Hirons presided over the committee with conspicuous success, carrying out his duties with commendable zeal, and the members of the Rushden Beaumont Cycle Club ably seconded his efforts. It is to be regretted that the Kettering clubs not only backed out of their pledge to compete but actually took part in what almost might be described as

A Counter-Demonstration

coming, as it did, on the very day of the Rushden event. Owing to the bad weather on Saturday morning the Raunds, Finedon, and Wellingborough clubs failed to put in an appearance. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, however, there was an excellent parade, and the local charities, for whose benefit the carnival was organized, will benefit to a considerable extent. From an artistic point of view, the parade could scarcely have been a bigger success, the fancy dresses of the competitors being most effective. Crowds of people lined the streets, and the highest gratification was expressed by the spectators. From a numerical point of view, too, the parade was most successful, local cyclists competing in good numbers.

By kind permission of Mrs. Sartoris, the competitors assembled in the afternoon in the grounds of the Rushden Hall, where the judging took place. Mrs. W. East and Mrs. P. Mortimer judge the ladies’ and girls’ sections, having the assistance of Mrs. G. S. Mason as referee, while the merits of the competitors in the men’s and boys’ sections were adjudicated upon by Mr. Paul Cave and Mr. Talbot Brown, Mr. J. Wykes Ashdowne being the referee.

The Awards

The Beaumont Cycle Club, for the largest number of decorated cycles and riders, won a cup value £2 2s presented by the Osmond Cycle Co. and Mr. W. Timpson.

In the

Men’s Section

four prizes were offered for the best decorated cycles and riders – first prize, value 25s presented by Mr. S. Powell; second prize, value 15s presented by Messrs. J. Cave and Sons; third prize, value 10s 6d presented by Mr. W. Tomlinson; forth prize, value 5s 6d presented by Messrs. Moody and Luck. Mr. C. E. Cunnington as “John Bull” and Mr. G. E. Woodward as “Uncle Sam” rode on a tandem, and took first award of the judges. Mr. T. T. Clarke secured the second prize as a Spanish matador. Mr. S. C. Brightwell (clown) was third and Mr. J. C. Webb, of Northampton (clerk of the weather) fourth. Mr. C. Barnwell, who represented

An “Almost Blind” Beggar

received first consolation prize (given by Mr. Sedgman). Other characters were J. Waite, J. Ladds, W. Flood, Sargent, G. C. Turner, W. Brawn, P. Bailey, Woods, J. Barwell, J. A. Langley, and C. Essam.

In the Ladies’ Section

“Two little girls in blue,” Miss Manning and Miss Brigstock, secured first prize, £2 2s presented by Mr. J. W. Ashdowne; Miss N. Ashby, “highland lass,” second prize, value 12s 6d presented by Mr. G. Miller; Miss A. Linnitt (fortune teller) third, value 7s 6d presented by Mr. C. Smith, and Miss A. Crouch (flower girl) fourth, value 4s 6d presented by Mr. R. G .Gourlay, Miss G. B. Burgess (school girl) secured the second consolation prize.

In the Boys’ Section

(under 14) the first prize, value 10s 6d was presented by Busby’s Boot Palace; second prize, value 7s 6d by Messrs. Knight and Son; third prize, value 3s 6d by Messrs. Webb and Son; fourth prize, 2s 6d by Mr. Nattrass. Master Ted Dawson was first as a Spanish girl; T. Barwell (crossing sweeper) second, R. Tye (nigger) third, and R. Bayes (nigger). fourth.

Girls’ Section

For girls (under14) there were four awards. The first, value 12s 6d was presented by Mrs. Carter; second prize, value 5s by Mr. C. G. Jowitt; third prize, value 3s 6d by Mr. H. Staniland; and fourth prize, value 2s 6d by Messrs. Edwards. Miss Mabel Bull, (Little Red Riding Hood) was first and Miss A. Knight (flower girl) second.

The humorous characters caused much amusement. The prizes were:- First, value 14s by Mr. Dawson, Mr. H. Sharpe, and Misses Brown and Tester; second, value 7s by Mr. Knight, Hairdresser; third, value 3s 6d presented by Messrs. Webb Bros.; fourth, value 3s presented by Miss Fisher. T. Peacock took first prize as a baby girl, J. Hart (negro minstrel) the second, G. Green (negro) the third & E. Tassell (negro) the fourth. Other competitors were J. Willmott, J. Wheeler, G. H. Parkin, A. West, and A. E. Groome.

There were three entries for

The Greatest Novelty

for two prizes, the first, value 10s 6d presented by Mrs. Litchfield, and the second, value, 6s being given by Mr. E. Wrighton. The first prize winners were Messrs. W. N. Ginns, H. Norwood, and W. Cox, of Kettering, who rode a 60 year old machine labelled “The Ark.” The second was another old machine, a hobby horse cycle (the first introduced to Higham Ferrers 50 or 60 years ago) now in charge of C. Tailby, and the third represented a gun mounted on a machine by Mr. G. Sargeant.

Special for lady’s best decorated cycle, Miss Nellie Ashby.

Special for gentleman’s best decorated cycle, Mr. C. Woods; consolation, Mr. T. Wheeler.

Cup value £2 2s for the best out-of-town contingent, withheld, there being no competition.

In The Streets

The various streets of the town were then paraded, the marshals being Mr. S. Hirons (chief marshal), Rev. J. G. Forrest, Rev. H. K. Fry, Messrs. H. Adnitt, J. A. Langley, A. G. C. Vann, J. Claridge, E. Jenkins, W. Wood, T. Brown, and H. Chester. Messrs. J. T. Reid, Colson, and R. R. Trusting acted as mounted marshals, and the Rushden Temperance Band and the Station-road Band took part in the procession, and played some choice music.

The public tea in the New Hall at 5 p.m. was well attended. The tables were nicely decorated with plants supplied by Mr. F. Betts, and the plants subsequently graced the platform when Miss Sartoris distributed the prizes to the successful competitors. Mr. Hirons presided. Mr. Ashdowne introduced Miss Sartoris, who handed the prizes to the winners. Thanks were accorded to Miss Sartoris on the motion of Mr. Ashdowne, seconded by Mr. Arthur Cave.

An Illuminated Parade

took place later on, prizes being given for the best illuminated cycles. In the ladies’ section the first prize went to Miss N. Ashby (music stool, value 10s 6d given by Messrs. Whiting). Mr. C. Woods gained first prize, value 10s 6d in the gent’s section. A consolation prize, given by Mr. Paul Cave, value 10s 6d went to Mr. Sargent, of Northampton, for his illuminated machine gun. There being no competition in the girls section, the prize, value 7s 6s was given to Mr. S. Brightwell. Master Reggie Bayes took first prize in the boys’ section, value7s 6d (half a dozen photos of the winner, given by Mr. Chettle).

The procession

Headed By The Fire Brigade

under Captain Fred Knight, with the manual drawn by two horses, then paraded the town. Each fireman carried a lighted torch. The Rushden Temperance Band and the Station-road Band again played.

A promenade concert, arranged by the Rushden Beaumont Cycling Club, was held at 8. 45. in the Public-hall. Mr. S. Hirons took the chair, supported on the platform by Mrs Hirons and Messrs. Paul Cave, Arthur Cave, Fred Knight, Ashdowne, Brown, Adnitt, and John Claridge.

Mrs. Hirons

Distributed the Prizes

for the best illuminated cycles.

In his opening speech the Chairman said the weather had been somewhat against the parade, but he was sure Rushden had just cause to be proud of it. (Hear,hear.) Not the least of the credit was due to the generous donors of the prizes, without which the committee would not have been able to carry on the work. He was sure they would like to thank the Fire Brigade, and he would propose that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded them (Cheers.)

Mr. Fred Knight, who replied on behalf of the brigade said

The Brigade’s Services

were at the disposal of anyone that asked for them. They had not been called out for any great work for some time, but that was due, no doubt, to their good luck more than anything else, and the brigade were always ready to do their work. (Applause). Mr. Knight moved a vote of thanks to the committee and to Mr. and Mrs. Hirons.

Mr. T. W. Ashdowne seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Chairman, acknowledging the compliment on behalf of the committee, himself, and Mrs. Hirons, said the labour spent upon the parade had not been in vain.

The Financial Success

was assured. The generous response made by the Rushden people would leave a good amount to be devoted to the local institutions. Under any circumstances the parade was a success. The committee had worked with a will. A more generous response a man could never have. As to himself, his services were at their disposal at any time they required them. If he could render any service to Rushden he would be pleased to give it. (Applause.)

the Judges were thanked on the motion of Mr. John Claridge, seconded by Mr. Adnitt.

Mr. Paul Cave, on behalf of the judges, said what little they had done they hoped they had done right. (Applause.)

A Good Programme

was then given, Mr. G. Farey presiding at the piano:

Song, “A May morning.” Mr. H. Baker.

Song, “In the chimney corner,” Miss L. West.

Recitation, Mr. G. H. Parkin.

Song, Mr. T. T. Clarke.

Song, “Queen of the earth.” Mr. G. Farey.

These items were interspersed with dances.

Balance Sheet of the Cycle Parade

The following is the balance sheet of the cycle parade held at Rushden, on Saturday last:-

There is also a two guinea cup not competed for. The accounts have been audited by Mr. W. Wood and Mr. H. Adnitt. Total 41 11 6

Cycle Parade Committee
Disposal of the Money
£20 4s to the Ambulance Corps

Under the presidency of Mr. S. Hirons, a meeting of the Rushden Cycle Parade Committee was held on Wednesday night in the Alfred-street schools.

The balance sheet, as printed in full in this issue, was presented by Mr. Hirons, who said that all things considered it was a very gratifying statement. The surplus at the disposal of the committee was £27 10s 9d. The street collections realized £20 4s. The highest sums collected by the ladies were:-

The highest sums collected by gentlemen were:-

On the motion of Mr. Hirons, seconded by Mr. Morris, it was decided to devote £2 to the purchase of four prizes for the two ladies and the two gentlemen who

Collected The Highest Sums

third prizes being cornice pole and pair of pictures left over from the competition. The £2 comes out of money given expressly for the prize list.

This left £25 10s 9d to be disposed of, and it was decided to give it as follows:-

The Rushden Nursing Association having recently received substantial help from the performances of the Dramatic Society, it was felt that the Ambulance Corps should receive in full the money raised by the street collections.

Mr. Arthur Cave, as chief of the Ambulance Corps, said the members were very grateful to the committee for their

Generous Gift.

The Parade Committee had done a great amount of work, and a considerable share of it had fallen upon Mr. Hirons. (Hear,hear.) The Ambulance Corps would spend the money to the best advantage of the town. (Hear,hear.)

Mr. L. Baxter, as a member of the corps, also expressed the thanks of the ambulance men for the donation. He hoped the parade would become an annual event, and next year, perhaps, some kindred society might be helped. (Hear,hear.)

The chairman said that now it was all over he believed none of the committee regretted the work put into the affair.

Despite The Bad Weather,

and the absence of the Kettering, Raunds, Finedon, and Wellingborough clubs, they had achieved a success.

On the motion of Mr. Arthur Cave, seconded by Mr. A. C. Ashby, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. Hirons should hold the two guinea cup (not competed for by out-of-town clubs) until next year.

A cordial vote of thanks was, on the motion of Mr. J. A. Langley, passed to Mr. Hirons for acting as chairman of the committee.