Picnic at Hinchingbrooke Park – Lunch at Huntingdon

The annual outing and picnic of the staff of the Rushden depot of the British United Shoe Machinery Company was held on Saturday,

When an enjoyable day was spent at Hinchingbrooke Park, the residence of the Earl of Sandwich. The journey, started at 8.30, was made by charabancs via Hinwick, Harrold, Turvey, Bedford (with a brief halt at Goldington), St Neots, and Huntingdon. Lunch was served at the George Hotel, Huntingdon, Mr T Smith (manager of the Rushden depot) presiding. There were also present Mrs Smith, Mr and Mrs A Chaplin (Northampton depot), Mr Clark (assistant manager Northampton depot), Colonel Barclay (estate agent to the Earl of Sandwich, and who had kindly made the arrangements at Hinchingbrooke), and Mr W Childs (Rushden Hheel Coimpany) and Mrs Childs. Apologies were received from Mr C Benyon, J.P., of Leicester, who was attending the unveiling of the Leicester War Memorial, and Mr H E Cooper, of Kettering, on holiday.

The Chairman, having given the loyal toast, proposed the health of the staff. He thanked them for their loyalty during the past year and hoped they would stand by the firm in the future. Trade,, he said, was going through a period of depression, but he had great hopes for the growth of the welted trade in particular in future in the Rushden district. He contended that they were “getting more like Northampton every day.”

The toast of “The Visitors” was submitted by Mr F Keay, who thanked Mr Smith for his remarks about the staff and assured him that they would do everything possible to further the interests of the Rushden depot.

Mr Chaplin responded in humorous style, and himself gave the toast of “The Ladies.”

Colonel Barclay briefly spoke.

After lunch an adjournment was made to Hinchingbrooke Park, where

Sports and Games

were held. The results were as follow:

Musical hands (a variation of musical chairs, the ladies graping the outstretch hands of the gentlemen, members being reduced at each stop), 1 Mrs T Smith, 2 Mrs Shortland, 3 Miss C Smith; gentlemen’s cigarette lighting and ball competition, 1 Mr D Smith, 2 Mr G Heeley, 3 Mr J Ward; ladies’ (blindfolded) boxing the ball, 1 Mrs J Ward, 2 Mrs W Barker, 3 Mrs D Smith; gentlemen’s “topping the topper” (knocking off hat), 1 Mr E Bloor, 2 Mr G Heeley, 3 Mr W Bennett; ladies’ ankle competition, 1 Mrs J Ward, 2 Mrs T Smith, 3 Mrs W Steel; boxing the ball (men), 1 Mr J Dunmore, 2 Mr R Atkins, 3 Mr G Wright.

A return was made to the George Hotel, where tea was served, following which musical items were rendered by Miss Mabel Wills and Mr “Chip” Randall, the piano accompanist being Mr C E Lawrence. The party then dispersed to visit the park, the river (for bathing), and other scenes of interest. A start back was made at 8p.m. At Kimbolton a halt was called for refreshments, singing, and dancing, and, leaving there at ten o’clock, Rushden was reached shortly afterwards, a thoroughly enjoyable day having been spent by all the party.

The arrangements were made by the following committee: Mr T Smith (chairman), Miss Wills, Miss White, Messrs E Bloor, H Crook, F Keay, W Steel, F Toms, and C Tyrrell, the duties of secretary and treasurer being ably carried out by Mr A E Hurst.