An enjoyable day was spent at Castle Ashby on Saturday by a cricket team representing the Rushden Young Men’s Friendly Society. A start was made from the Coffee Tavern at 1.30 in Mr. Sargent’s brake. The weather was beautifully fine, the drive through the richly wooded country was a pleasant one. On reaching Grendon several of the friends alighted, the others proceeding to Castle Ashby to commence the match. The homesters’ team was captained by Mr. Hayes, head gardener to the Marquis of Northampton. The Rushdenites were unfortunate in the spin of a coin and the homesters took first turn with the willow. Panter was in fine form with the ball and the home team fared badly against his deadly deliveries and were all out for 31. The visitors, on the contrary, were seldom in difficulties with bowling and ran up the respectable score of 73 for nine wickets, the Rev. J. K. Fry being absent. The chief scorers for the visitors were W. Clark 23, T. Smith 10 and J. Willmott 10. After the match the party adjourned to the Falcon and had tea. The remainder of the evening through the courtesy of Mr. Hayes, was spent in walking through the beautiful gardens. It is not surprising that Castle Ashby is a favourite place for pleasure seekers, for anyone must be entirely devoid of the sense of beauty who could not spend an enjoyable day in such lovely surroundings. The homeward journey was commenced about 9o’clock. Through the kindness of the villagers, most of the party were laden with bunches of roses. Rushden was reached about 10.30, everyone being thoroughly satisfied with the outing. The arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr. Wright, to whom much credit is due.

Builders’ Outing:- The members of the Rushden Builders and Carpenters’ Association had their annual excursion on Saturday when they had a picnic and fishing party at Turvey. Favoured with fine weather the party had a delightful day, the arrangements for the comfort of the holiday makers being ably carried out by Messrs. A. T. Nichols, W. T. Willmott and J. Tomlin. Brakes conveyed the party which numbered 30, to Turvey, where a substantial luncheon was supplied in a marquee by Mr. Hammond. Mr. H. Sparrow, the father of the Association, presided and Messrs. Ernest Bayes and Hacksley were the vice-chairmen. The toast of “The Association” was received with enthusiasm. After the luncheon most of the party enjoyed themselves by angling in the river, although none of the “takes” were very noteworthy. At 6pm Mr. Hammond provided a strawberry tea, after which the company rambled through the churchyard and round the village. A cricket math was played in the park between Mr. Nicholls’ and Mr. Sparrow’s teams, the former providing victors by 67 to 22. Although the play could scarcely be designated scientific, plenty of fun was caused by the match. Later in the evening a smoking concert was held at the Three Cranes Hotel, various members of the company contributing to an enjoyable programme. The return journey was commenced at 10pm.

Rushden Master Builders’ Association—The summer outing of the members took place on Wednesday when advantage was taken of the M.R. excursion to London. On reaching St Pancras one of the Company’s ’buses was in waiting to convey the party to Fenchurch-street station, when they entrained for Tilbury Docks. Here the party, numbering 15, boarded the steamer, The Royal Sovereign, and had a most enjoyable river and sea trip to Margate, the excellent dinner on board being not the least enjoyable part of the proceedings. For a holiday of this kind the weather was ideal. After an hour and a half’s stay in Margate, the return journey was commenced, London being reached at 9.30. Shortly after midnight the train left St Pancras for Rushden.

Wellingborough News, 23^rd May 1902, transcribed by Kay Collins

Adult School Outing—On Tuesday a most successful outing was enjoyed by members and lady friends of the Rushden Adult School. Some fifty started in brakes, and were joined by a brake from Wellingborough containing 23 members of the school there, whilst others journeyed on cycles, so that about 100 were present altogether. Through the kindness of Mr S G Stopford Sackville, MP, the party were enabled to visit Drayton Park. The outward journey was cold and somewhat damp, but a hot cup of coffee on arrival soon set matters right, and the party proceeded to enjoy themselves in hearty fashion. Cricket on the splendid ground in the park, bowls, and other games were indulged in, and as the weather cleared the pleasure was enhanced. A capital tea was provided by the committee, and the drive home was greatly enjoyed. The brakes for the Rushden party were supplied by Mr James Sargeant, and that from Wellingborough by Mr J Durrant.