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"Rough Stuff!"—The scene when police officers put a sudden end to the trial by stopping the riders and taking particulars.
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Evening Telegraph, 26th October 1931, transcribed by Kay Collins
Shock for Rushden Motor-Cyclists:
A "rough stuff" trial held on Sunday by the Rushden Query Motor Club came to an abrupt finish when the Bedfordshire Police mobilised in strong force, "held up" the riders in a lane, and took the names and addresses of eleven members, who are expecting to receive summonses charging them with some form of "trespass."
The development of these events promises to be of exceptional interest nationally, 'for the Rushden Club is strong and well-conducted and has held trial and pleasure runs practically every Sunday throughout the year.
From the number and deployment of the police officers engaged, it would appear that the hold-up was carefully arranged, presumably for the elucidation of an important principle.
The Surprise
Some thirty members of the Query Club set out from Rushden at 10 o'clock in the morning and were soon over the Bedfordshire border.
When they were entering a "forty-foot," branching off from the lane connecting the main Bedford road with the village of Wymington, they were surprised by the appearance of policemen, who ordered them to stop.
Eleven riders, it is stated, were in the "forty-foot" and the remainder, on seeing the police, stopped outside.
Particulars were taken from all within the "forty-foot" and it is understood that a question of trespass was raised. The impression received by officers of the Club is that these "forty-foot" ways are held to be Crown property, not to be ventured upon by traffic without the permission of his Majesty.
Permission
An official assured the "Evening Telegraph" this morning (Monday) that permission from various farmers and landowners had been obtained in connection with the trial generally.
After the "hold-up" it was decided that it would be hopeless to endeavour to complete the trial and the riders disconsolately returned home after an exciting morning.
The Club, it is stated, has communicated with the A.C.U., and will be prepared to defend its members against any summonses that may be issued.
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Query Club—Sunday proved to be a red letter day in the first year of the Rushden and District Query Motor Club. Club officials were jointly responsible (with officials from four other local motor clubs), for the arrangement of an inter-club reliability trial, which is to be known as the ''Three Counties Trial" and which is to be run as an annual event. A total of 88 entries was received and the 14 members of the Rushden club, who started from Olney at approximately 2.30 p.m. completed the 60 miles course in the required time. The rules provided that each club could nominate any number of teams of three riders each (car, combination or solo) and the course was entirely a test of reliability and accurate time keeping. The successful team will be presented with a handsome 15 guinea trophy which their club will hold until the contest is renewed in 1932. At the conclusion of the run, about 150 sat down to tea at Olney which place had been chosen as a neutral rendezvous for the competing clubs. In connection with the social activities of the club, the members are arranging another Motor Club dance on November 6th the whole proceeds of which have been promised to the funds of the Committee for the After Care of Tuberculosis patients.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 6th May 1932, transcribed by Kay Collins
Query Club Dance—The benefit dance arranged by the Rushden and District Query motor club in aid of two of its members, Messrs C Sanders and A Tompkins, who have had severe accidents, was held at the Co-operative Hall yesterday week, and was largely attended. Over 300 visitors enjoyed themselves from eight o’clock until midnight, music being provided by the Rhythmic Six band, who delighted the dancers. At intervals very clever speciality dances were given by the Misses Joy Draper and Margaret Chappell, whose numbers included a Gipsy Dance, “The Policeman and the Maid,” and “The Musical Comedy.” The social secretary and M.C. for the dance, Mr Jim Knight, thanked the patrons and the donors of refreshments and made special mention of friends who bought tickets, although they did not intend to be present. A draw for a mythical £30,000 was won by Mr Campion, of Knotting (Beds.). £7.10s has been sent to both C Sanders and A Tompkins, also a present of a dressing gown to another member, C Hustwait, who is now in Rushden Sanatorium.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 4th August 1933, transcribed by Kay Collins
Query Club Activities—The “Risdene” trophy, which has been given anonymously to the club, was the centre of attraction for the members of the Rushden and District Query Motor Club on Sunday morning, when they competed for this handsome award over a 35 miles course. The original trial in June, held over a course of 80 miles, had not decided a winner, and accordingly a further 35 miles course had been selected on which to allocate the awards. The winner of the trophy was Mr. S. Hawkes, who will hold this award for one year. Mr. T. Blair and Mr. R. Grant tied for second place and they receive either a tankard or a silver medal each. There was also an award (a tankard), for the best performance by a novice, and Mr. C. Noble was the winner. On Sunday afternoon Mr. Cooke was in charge of a party which proceeded via Bedford to Honeyhills Boat House. There boats were in readiness and the party proceeded up river to a suitable spot for a picnic tea, and where bathing could also be enjoyed. On Saturday the Query Motor Club were responsible for the arrangements in connection with a motor cycle football match and motor gymkhana at the Milton Ernest Flower Show and fete, and they are also arranging a similar programme at Olney on August 19th. No official club runs have been arranged for the holiday Sundays and on the Sunday following (August 26th) the members are going to Market Harborough Boathouse at the invitation of the Leicester Query Motor Club.
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Rushden Echo, 8th December 1933
Motoring—Sunday’s outing of the Rushden Query Motor Club was the last social run of the year, and in spite of cold weather there was a very good turnout. Mr. S Hawkes and Mr. T Blair were in charge and had arranged an observation run in which riders had to find their way by signs along a route embracing Newton, Yelden, Dean, Kimbolton, Catworth, Old Weston and Brington, to finish at Keyston where tea was served. Next Sunday the club is organising a 100-mile road trial for the members of the Northampton Pirates M.C. and Car Club, and members of the Rushden club will be doing the checking.
On the following Sunday officers of the club will meet representatives of Northampton M.C.C., Northampton Pirates Car Club and the Leicester Query M.C.C., to consider the formation of a Trials Competition League for 1934.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 26th February 1937
MOTORING
The Query Motor Club commenced its 1937 programme with a social run on Sunday, when about 40 members left Rectory-road on a "scavenger" hunt. On arrival at Biggleswade Market-square members were handed a list of very miscellaneous articles to collect. Tea was served at the country headquarters at Milton Ernest where some interesting collections of exhibits were shown. Mr. C. Gell was the eventual winner.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 30th July 1937, transcribed by Kay Collins
Motor Club’s Trial – Crowd Enjoys Good Sport
In spite of a dull day and cold winds on Sunday, a good crowd attended the Rushden and District Query Motor Club’s third trial of the season at Coster Pits, Newton Blossomville, near Olney. They were rewarded with some excellent sport, the tit-bit being reserved for the last race, the handicap.
In a thrilling race the scratch man, K. D. Haynes, made strenuous efforts to win, his final burst of speed gaining him a dead heat for first place with F. C. Dent, of Harlestone. [part of a longer article]
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