05 February 1870 - Northampton Mercury 

Spirit-rapping—The usually quiet village of Rushden has for the past few weeks been suffering from a somewhat severe attack of spirit-rapping. ..….

16 July 1870 - Northampton Mercury 

….. three winners of these heats to run in the fourth. The contest lay between W. and J. Laurance, of Raunds, and Mr. Wright, of Rushden, when W. Laurance and Mr. Knight came together. After half-an-hour, the two ran again, when, after a very severe struggle ……

TEMPERANCE BAND—At the invitation quadrille party, given in the Public Hall on Saturday evening last, by the above band, a waltzing competition for two money prizes took place. Three couples entered, viz., Mr. S. Denton and Miss Emma Sears, Mr. and Mrs. H. Willis, and Mr. H. Tunn and Miss J. Sears. Mr. Wiles Knight officiated as referee, and awarded the prizes to the two first-named couples, in the order given. A large company assembled during the evening.

Good Dog! At the Cambridge Canine Society’s Show last week, Mr Joe Smith’s Irish terrier, Omara, was awarded first prize in the open class, first prize for novice, and special for best Irish bitch in the Show. The bitch is one of Mr Smith’s own breeding.

EXCITING INCIDENT AT RUSHDEN. About eight o'clock on Monday evening the residents of the town, or, at least, several hundreds of them, witnessed a foolish, but, at the same time, daring, adventure on the part of a man named Ingram, who was observed to be ascending the scaffolding which is erected round the church spire for repairs. Having reached the base of the steeple, Ingram was seen to commence climbing up by means of the stone abutment, which runs to within 10 or 12 feet of the weather vane. Reaching the highest ledge, Ingram encircled the tapering steeple with his arms and legs, and climbed to the top stone on which he sat apparently very cool and collected. He then amused the spectators by turning the weathercock round, and finished up by taking out of his pocket a red, white, and blue flag which he secured to the top of the vane. Ingram then descended in the same manner that he went up, and at once proceeded to take his hat round and obtained a good collection. The end of the surprises, however, had not yet been reached, for instead of pocketing the spoils Ingram distributed the contents of the hat among the children assembled round the church. The flag is still flying on the steeple.

From our own files of June 13th 1902

Painted canvas, scenery and deck chairs, etc., belonging to the play “The Purser” recently played at Rushden, were disposed of at an auction sale by Mr. J. J. Coulbeck, Mr. G. H. Parkin being the purchaser.

A Rushden paragraph read: “On Wednesday evening a large crowd was drawn together in the High-street by the sound of music, the source of which was at first hidden. It then transpired that the sweet sounds were issuing from the open window over the shop of Messrs. Whiting, a disc gramophone having been set at work in the room. The selections given were distinctly heard for some distance along the street and the crowd gave indications of pleasure at the impromptu concert thus given.”
Note: The microfilm of 1902 newspapers is not extant at Rushden, hence our collection of a few items "from 30 years ago"!

CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT
On Monday evening a lantern entertainment was given in the Co-operative Hall, under arrangements made by the educational committee.  Admission being free, a large number of young people assembled, and the hall was quickly filled to its utmost capacity, large numbers of children being unable to gain admission and for a time the High-street was kept lively by their demonstrations of disappointment.  In the hall about 100 slides were exhibited, “Mrs. Giles a-hunting,” “Shadow pictures,” “Roger Plowman’s visit to London,” “The geese who got drunk on brandied cherries,” etc.  Mr. W. J. Cure explained the various views, and Mr. W. H. Marriott attended to the lantern.  At the close each child was presented with an illustrated booklet.

A BALLOON passed over this district at about 5pm on Saturday and attracted a great deal of attention in Rushden and Higham. With the aid of field glasses it was seen that the car of the balloon contained at least two passengers. A balloon ascended from the Crystal Palace grounds on Saturday at 3.10 p.m., and passing over Biggleswade descended at Potton, but there is no evidence to connect this with the balloon which passed over the Rushden district, which appeared to be travelling in a north-easterly direction.

A TENNIS MATCH was played yesterday at Rushden between Rushden and Mr H C King’s team. The latter included some well-known Northampton players, who easily defeated the home team by 7 rubbers to 2. Rushden team: - Messrs Clarke and Button, Sanders and W Roe, Field and J Roe.

"DICKENS RECITAL" – Thursday, November 24th, in the Queen Street schools, return visit of Mr Arthur W Hayes (MDES). Please keep this date open.

NEW GAME—Two well-known local sportsmen are introducing a new game into the Midlands. Messrs. A. W. Thompson and W. H. Moody are arranging for a push-ball match to take place in Rushden about Feast week. The popular American game has never been seen in the Midlands, and much interest will be evoked in the forthcoming match, which will be played by local gentlemen for charity. Mr. Moody and Mr. Thompson hope to get some skilled exponents of the game on each side, and there will be a number of practice games arranged. We wish the project every success.

Radio Programmes Blotted Out — Interference mystery in Rushden (north)
Residents of Hayway, Higham Road, and North Street, Rushden, are faced with a mystery that for several weeks has defied solution. They are annoyed, too, for each time they switch on their radio sets they get ear-shattering interference instead of the scheduled programme, and no one knows the cause.

Radio engineers confess themselves beaten. They say that only one thing can solve the mystery – the Post Office detector van. Post Office officials say that though they are dealing with isolated cases of disturbance in Rushden they have had no mass appeal.

Peak disturbance hour seems to be between 12.30 and 1 p.m. Judging from comments made by inhabitants of the area, no one is ever able to listen to the lunchtime news bulletin. The noise starts as early as 7.30 a.m. on some occasions and has often spoiled Sunday evening transmissions. That fact alone seems to rule out many people’s contention that the disturbance is caused by a factory generator. Refrigerators, electric welding apparatus, electric blankets and television have all been blamed for the interference. One person claims that on the stroke of 8 o’clock each evening – television’s commencing time – she hears a peculiar whistle on her radio. Though all these suppositions are within the realms of possibility – though some, only just – they are extremely unlikely.

Simple Cause?
Local radio experts think the trouble may simply be a number of faulty appliances, which are spread throughout the area. They claim that appliances on direct current are the most likely causes. Another very feasible theory is that a “pirate” transmitter is working in the area, probably using a morse key.

Television viewers are having trouble too and they complain of “queer noises” coupled with severe picture distortion.

Variously described as “just like a tractor engine” or “like a person frying eggs,” the interference has been going on for a month or more.

Because Nobody Cares - Sports Council is abandoned

Plans to form a Council for Sport at Rushden have been abandoned because of lack of support for Mr. R. W. Ferris’ idea. Only two people in the town have contacted him and shown an active interest.

Mr. Ferris, of 23 Woodland Road, Rushden who is secretary of the Cycle Club Northants, suggested the formation of the council, with representatives of all clubs at Rushden, to promote sport and fight any particular causes which might arise.

But he said this week that hardly anyone had contacted him about the idea – apart from the secretary of Rushden Town Cricket Club and an official of St. Mary’s Young People’s Fellowship.

“Because of this disappointing response I have decided to shelve the idea for the time being. I may make a further attempt if more people show an interest,” he said.