American offers youth centre for Rushden
Thanks to the generosity of a wealthy American, whose inventions have been developed in the town, Rushden may soon possess a youth centre equipped for inside recreation and study and outdoor sports.

Though no official decision has been made it is highly probable that the centre will be at the old Moor Road Infants School, which would be modernised and enlarged. The playground and the adjacent school gardens would also be developed.

Moving spirit in the plan is 75-year-old Mr. Arthur A. Williams, of Worcester and Holliston, Mass. inventor of safety footwear.

Acting on his behalf at Rushden are the directors of Messrs. B. Denton and Son, boot manufacturers, who have been using his patents for some years.

A benefactor of youth in America, Mr. Williams has paid several visits to Rushden.

It is understood that the building, which was the town’s first aid post, will be equipped with gymnasium, assembly hall with stage, music study and other rooms. Some will have to be built on. Outdoor amenities envisaged include tennis courts, basketball court, cricket practice wicket and a playground for infants.

Mr. Williams stipulates that the centre should be used by boys and girls up to fifteen years of age and that all its activities should be under supervision.

It is likely that a trust will be set up to administer the scheme. This would include representatives of the Rushden youth organisation which has been handicapped through many years by the fact that no suitable centre was available for its work.

Wrong age group, say critics – so no youth centre decision yet
Following an abortive meeting of social representatives at Rushden on Monday, the working of America’s youth centres is to be investigated by Mr. G. H. Denton, through whom a centre for the town was offered by American businessman Arthur Williams.

It was time to discuss with the local authorities, so Mr Arthur Williams, the American businessman who has offered to provide Rushden with a youth centre, flew over from Boston, Mass., this week. “All I am here for,” he said, “is to get the older people to help the young people find themselves. We won’t need any wars if we bring up the children aright.” He was pleased with plans for transforming the old Moor Road school. Above, genial Mr Williams (left) is seen with Mr G H Denton, through whom his offer was made.

He has also decided to make a full study of the centres or playgrounds provided by Mr. Williams for American children up to the age of 13.

The County Architect’s preliminary plan for the old Rushden Moor Road school and the equipment of adjoining ground for recreation was inspected by those who attended Monday’s meeting. Ald. Arthur Allebone presided and Mr. Williams was represented by Mr. Denton and Mr. Frank Brown.

Happy To Pay If …
Mr. Allebone told the meeting that Mr. Williams would be happy to pay for the centre to be prepared at a cost estimated at £6,000 provided that it fell in with his ideas. He had also intended to provide a regular contribution for maintenance, but technical difficulties had arisen to rule this out.

Some in Rushden had hoped that the centre would be for adolescents of 18 to 20 but Mr. Williams would not agree to the age limit being raised above 15. To run the centre might cost £1,000 a year, a sum that Mr. Williams thought could be raised easily by the town. No official grant could be expected in view of the age limitation.

“It is a very generous gesture,” said Mr. Allebone, adding: “I have heard it said that we do a great deal for the old people and nothing for youth.”

Mr. Denton said that Mr. Williams fully realised the problem of the later ages but knew the two groups would not mix satisfactorily. He wanted the children to be under supervision. The last thing he wished to do was to cut across any other activities, whether religious or secular.

A long debate, which included a ten-minute adjournment for private discussion, revealed fears that the plan would fail because the age group was wrong and that there would be a lack of voluntary workers to support a full-time superintendent. Some speakers claimed that Rushden had sufficient organisations for its children and young people.

“It seems like American baby-minding,” said Mr. R. R. Lawrence.

“There is a danger,” said Mr. L. C. Wilce, “that this expensive experiment would resolve into a local club for the younger ones in the immediate neighbourhood.

“I am sorry to disappoint such a generous man as Mr. Williams. What he has in mind is the American way of life with its early life social development.”

The Rev. A. B. Martin, curate of St. Mary’s, was a persistent critic.

Convinced
Mr. Don Bugby said Mr. Williams had convinced him of the value of work among those under 15.

At the height of the debate the chairman declared: “I am satisfied that if it was for the 15-20 group it would have gone straight ahead and been a grand scheme.”

It was finally agreed that no vote should be taken pending the report that Mr. Williams will receive.

On behalf of all present Mr. Norman expressed appreciation of Mr. Williams and his generous offer.

Youth Gives Its Point of View

While Mr. G. H. Denton, on a six week business trip, investigates the workings of American youth clubs in connection with American businessman Arthur Williams’ offered to provide a youth centre in Rushden, the young people of the town have their own views on the question. But they don’t all agree.

Mr. Williams wants the centre for the under-15 age group with six as the lower age limit.

Here’s what the youth of the town say about the idea:

Fifteen-year-old Barry Whitney agrees that the youth centre would be useful in keeping the youngsters off the streets.

Peter Windram, aged 16, thinks the older age groups have a greater need, although they already have several places to meet.

‘Girls Have Nowhere’

A 17-year-old girl said: “There is a need for a youth centre for girls. We have nowhere to go.”

Others in the same age group thought that, with so many attractions in the town for them, the centre would meet a greater need in catering for under-fifteens, but several thought the bottom age limit too low.

Six-year-olds, they said, would be unable to appreciate the facilities and, in any case, would only be able to spend the early part of an evening at the centre.

What about the under fifteens? Generally they seem to be fully occupied with school and church activities. Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and similar organisations.

Looking forward to school-leaving, a 14-year-old boy expressed the view that they wanted somewhere to go.

The proposed cubicles for study, some felt, would encourage children to help each other with homework rather than doing it by themselves.

Still a chance Rushden may get a youth centre

Six thousand pounds which would have started up a youth centre at Rushden is no longer available. But it would still appear possible for the town to open a club for boys and girls if opposition can be cleared away.

Mr. Arthur Williams, the American business man who offered the £6,000 and secured the goodwill of the Northamptonshire Education Committee for the Moor Road School, has withdrawn his offer as the result of views expressed by Rushden social leaders, church representatives and school teachers at a meeting in September.

Mr. George Denton who, with Mr. Frank Brown, called that meeting, returned from America with the news on Sunday.

In the States he found that Mr. Williams, having considered the opinions voiced here, had already decided that he must withdraw. Mr. Williams was still convinced that a centre should cater for children up to the age of 15. Many in Rushden have maintained that the 15-18 group is the one needing help.

Strong Support

“Of course,” said Mr. Denton, “if the people want a boys’ club you can get strong support from the National Association of Boys’ Clubs and other sources. It would need a thousand pounds or two to get things started, but I think we could get substantial aid.”

Following this line the “Echo and Argus” interviewed Major Henry March, development officer for boys’ clubs in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

“We are extremely interested in anything we can do to found a club in Rushden,” he said, “ but there must be support for it.

“There are several closed organisations working in Rushden, and they do not welcome any further projects of this kind. Nevertheless, if I could find sufficient people to assist me in getting a boys’ and girls’ club going in that old school (Moor Road), I would do it.

Ministry Help

“There is no reason why, if the boys are there some nights, the girls should not have it other nights.

“If we are to get a club which would cover the 15-18 age groups, undoubtedly we could get help from the Ministry of Education.

“We reckon that approximately 25 per cent of the boys in any place are catered for by existing youth organisations, but what about the other 75 per cent? If the people of Rushden feel convinced of the need, then we can go ahead provided the County Education Committee take it up.”

Major Marsh told of the new club founded by his association at Finedon for over 90 boys, and of one at Brigstock, where the need was “desperate.”

Boys and girls from 17 upwards, he said, could combine on social occasions, but up to that age the Association liked to see them separate. All the Association’s work was in the nature of further education. And they did not want any club they ran to develop into a dance centre.

Deep Interest

At Leicester, an existing building in the centre of the city had just been purchased with the assistance of the Ministry of Education at a cost of £6,000 and they were going to adapt it at a cost of £2,500. The same thing could be done on a smaller scale at Rushden.

Major Marsh mentioned that he was brought up at Oundle as a boy, and still feels a deep interest in this district. He added seriously that he has plenty of work on hand, and could not waste his time where he was not wanted. He would be pleased to meet any group in Rushden, and talk to them and see how they could help.

“The scheme,” he said, “is not dead unless the people are opposed to it, but if the closed denominational groups are opposed to it, then that is the end.”

Club Probes Youngsters’ Social Needs

What are the social needs of Rushden’s young people, and how can the town cater for them? These questions are to be examined in the near future, and it is understood that when the answers are found there will be people waiting to take action.

Rushden people are still discussing the gesture of Mr. Arthur Williams, of Massachusetts, the town’s would-be benefactor, whose offer of £6,000 to start a club for children was withdrawn because of its lukewarm reception.

They also remember the follow-up message of Major Henry Marsh, the regional officer of the National Association of Boys’ Clubs, who in an “Echo and Argus” interview told of his readiness to help form a youth club on condition that existing “closed” organisations offered no opposition.

Significant

A move now being made by Rushden Rotary Club is therefore significant.

Leaders of all local youth organisations have received from the club a letter of invitation to attend a meeting. They have been told that the club is making a survey of young people’s requirements and would like to consult them.

Though it is generally assumed that the Rotarians have a youth centre in mind Mr. Bernard Palmer, the club’s president, said yesterday that no statement could be made at the moment.

Invitations

He confirmed, however, that the invitations had been sent out, and added that in the very near future the club would be happy to issue all possible information.

Mr. Palmer also mentioned that Major Marsh will speak at a club luncheon in January.

An American comment on Mr. Williams’s offer is quoted in “Talk of the Town.”

1,200 Youngsters Set Town A Poser

Do the twelve hundred young people of Rushden between the ages of twelve and twenty have enough and the right kind of facilities provided for their leisure hours? That question has been bothering the people of the town ever since last September.

Then Mr. Arthur Williams of America offered £6,000 to found an open club for a younger age group. Despite its rejection the offer has done a great deal of good in youth club circles, for the controversy aroused has for the first time put a spotlight on the facts and figures of the situation.

At the moment there is something in the nature of a deadlock between the churches and the non-denominational organisations.

The churches say that everything that can be done for the youth of the town is being catered for by the groups and clubs run within the churches.

Mr. Bernard Palmer, president of the Rotary Club, says that the present facilities are decidedly inadequate, and only one young person in every three has any contact with a youth organisation.

This figure is drawn from statistics provided by the county authorities, and the investigation of the special Rotary committee which has been formed to collect information for a report which will be published in May.

No Criticism

Mr. Palmer says the committee has no wish to criticise clubs already in existence, but wishes merely to find out if and where they are lacking so that an overall picture of the situation may be built up. This would enable the Rotary Club to see where the arrangements need supplementing, and to supply this need or back up any organisation in existence that seems worthy of help.

Mr. Palmer added that it did not seem fair that those young people who were not in contact with a church should be deprived of taking part in organised youth activities.

At the moment all existing clubs have some sort of religious affiliation, and it is generally through attendance at the Sunday Schools that the young people are recruited into the clubs.

Church leaders say that only children with a strong Christian home background are the type who would wish to join a club. They say it is only through parents’ encouragement and backing that the children become members and in a non-Christian home this encouragement is lacking.

Disapproval

Another argument put forward against the formation of “open” clubs is that a group stands or falls by its leader, and that it is only among church societies that suitable leaders may be found.

Several heads of churches in Rushden have firmly said that with these considerations in mind they do not approve of any of their young members joining an open club, should one be formed.

Disapproval of the “church monopoly” in general activities has also been expressed. There is a feeling in some quarters that it is only through an open club that young people without a Christian upbringing may have a chance to appreciate fellowship and hence Christianity.

This particular view is borne out by the example of the Rushden Christian Youth Fellowship, the most “cosmopolitan” youth organisation at present in existence in the town. With people from all denominations represented in its fifty members, it has been found that the non-denominational members often become attached to one of the churches by coming into contact with its members at the club.

Forging Ahead

Into this cross-current of opinion and feeling the Rushden Youth Committee are bravely and steadily going ahead with plans to open up Moor Road School as a youth centre for a probationary period.

With a grant from the county education authorities they hope to put the place into some sort of repair and order before April 1. At the moment they have no specific plans made out for the running of the centre, and feel that all decisions should be evolved by degrees when the centre is opened.

The main idea at the moment is to provide a headquarters for those “homeless groups” that have formed outside religious bodies. They will also provide storage room for any group requiring it, and there is a probability of an open group being formed. The larger plan in mind is to have different group meetings each night of the week, and so widen the existing youth activities if the town. It is also hoped to cater for the so-called “unclubbables.”

This confusing term, the existing clubs and the opinions of the young people in them will be investigated by the “Echo and Argus” during the next few weeks.

Only Themselves to Blame?

Do the young people of Rushden have only themselves to blame if youth club facilities in the town do not meet their requirements? In this “Echo and Argus” investigation of the question, a reporter has visited the local Y.M.C.A. and spoken with the secretary, Mr. Philip Mould, and his board of management, which is responsible for running the centre.

From these talks it would appear that boys and girls of the town are hard to please, and, on the whole unwilling to help themselves.

Mr. Mould, who has been secretary for over three years, finds that boys and girls tend to “drift” from one club to another, seeking novelty.

In an effort to stabilise the young people’s interest in the association, he formed an “under twenty-one” committee, so that teenage groups might have a chance to say what they wanted and put it into operation. But members lost interest after the first few months, and the committee was disbanded.

Exactly what the young people want in the way of improved facilities neither they nor anyone else seems to know, said Mr. Mould.

The Y.M.C.A. itself is the moment used as a social centre for six days of the week. Young people may go in to play darts, table-tennis, billiards, snooker, chess, draughts, etc. Entrance may be obtained from the age of 14 upwards for a nominal fee, and for a few pence members may use the games provided. There is also a canteen staffed by lady members.

No conditions of membership are imposed, and the centre is inter-denominational.

124 Members

Mr. Mould says that if there is room at Rushden for an “open club,” he feels that a greater number of people would make use of the Y.M.C.A., which is not too obviously a religious organisation.

At the moment there are 114 males and ten female members on the books and most of them are in the 14 to 20-year-old age group. Members may bring friends in any evening and this facility is much used. Quite a number of girls use the centre as guests, but are not prepared to pay the few shillings to enable them to belong.

The Thursday night jazz club is most popular, and again, a large number of people attend who are not members. There is also a football team which meets on Tuesday nights for training. Cricket and tennis teams were started, but failed owing to lack of proper facilities.

Specialised

In the secretary’s view, even if the association had room to expand its premises and so provide proper facilities for this sort of thing, and generally widen activities, it would not help the position of the club as a whole.

He thought there would be greater membership just for specialised sport activities, but no further demand on the club socially.

Membership has fallen off considerably in the last few years owing to lack of facilities, but both Mr. Mould and the chairman, Mr. D. Rawlings, thought the facilities the young people wanted could not be applied by a club.

As far as dancing was concerned, the Windmill supplied a first class band and a large floor at a reasonable price and the young people would far rather go there than have their own dance hall. Films and lectures had been provided, but had not received good support from members. TV at home proved another strong draw.

‘Optimistic’

Regarding the youth committee’s hope of eventually forming an open club at the Moor Road School, Mr. Mould expressed the opinion that they were being “optimistic.”

Summing up, opinion seemed to be that young people, who really needed a club, were well catered for and had already found what they wanted. Those who were still dissatisfied would continue to be so whatever was provided for then, as they were of the type who liked everything laid on for them as cheaply as possible and were not prepared to make an effort to help or amuse themselves.

Does shyness keep them from clubs?

Is shyness the reason why many young people of Rushden do not join youth clubs? Are the impersonality and undemanding atmosphere of the dancehall and cinema greater attractions than the actual entertainment?

These points were considered last week when an “Echo and Argus” reporter visited the Independent Wesleyan Church’s most flourishing youth group, the Christian Endeavour.

The group started seven months ago with three members, now has twenty on its books, and has lost none of the young people who attend the weekly meetings without being members. At the meetings someone gives a talk, generally on a religious or instructive subject, refreshments are provided, and there is an opportunity for the young people to get together socially.

How is the church trying to attract more people into its activities? Members find the personal approach is best. They bring along people they meet at work or school and introduce them, we were told.

Advertising did little to bring in boys and girls. They were just too shy to come along on their own. The popularity of the cinema and dance hall could probably be accounted for on this score, as nobody took much notice of them and they could come and go as they pleased.

Initial shyness, however, seems common with most young people visiting the meetings for the first time, but soon wears off. They accept the “genuine friendship” offered, and soon seemed to enjoy it.

A 15-year-old schoolgirl whose main reason for joining was to find friendship and the opportunity to meet other young people thought the religious side just as important.

The minister, the Rev. Gordon Bellamy, told us young people in the church were doing an excellent job in getting more of their friends interested. At the same time, there was plenty of need to make a real attack on the clubless population and get them interested in the church’s activities. He is planning a campaign during the summer, and hopes to get some students down from Oxford to speak.

Good Response

His church tried to keep interest alive the whole time by offering interesting variations, with a strong bearing on everyday life and interests, such as the recent sportsmen’s service. Young people were encouraged to put forward their ideas and take a real part in all activities, and it was found that encouragement of personal initiative met a good response.

From his own experience, it seemed that girls had most time to spare; the boys had sport, evening classes and other activities to keep them busy. Girls, however, tended to treat church as a stopgap, and as soon as they started courting stopped going altogether.

The Mission church in Wellingborough Road has similar activities, such as the meeting in the schoolroom after Sunday service. This was suggested by the youngsters to keep them off the streets. They conduct services in hospital wards, and have their own operatic, cricket, tennis clubs, choir and band.

Anxious to do something new for Easter Sunday, they have arranged to visit the old people in their homes.

Youth Centre Opening

Rushden may soon see the open youth centre at the Moor Road School in operation. Redecoration and installation of lavatories and heating are now completed. The expense has been borne by a county grant made earlier this year.

The next step will be the purchase of furniture, and when the Rushden Youth Committee holds its monthly meeting it will discuss plans for the use of the centre.

All youth groups in the town will be circulated with details of facilities offered, and their applications will be considered. Next Wednesday, Miss P. M. Tupholme, the county youth organiser, will show members of the Youth Council round the premises.

……………

18th May 1956

Youth Looks at Centre

The young people of Rushden, as represented by the Youth Council and other youth organisations in the town, were on Wednesday evening given a chance to see what the county authorities had to offer them in the way of a centre.

This was a much brightened Moor Road School. A gay colour scheme of pale green and deep pink woodwork with cream walls transformed the formerly dingy interior.

The building was taken over by the Rushden Youth Committee early this year and redecorated and improved with a £500 grant from the county authorities.

This move was made as a result of a general inquiry into youth facilities after a £6,000 offer from an American, Mr. Arthur Williams, to convert the premises into a youth centre for juniors had been refused.

On Wednesday, only a few young people responded to the invitation of Miss P. Tupholme, the county youth organiser to look over their new premises.

Those present represented the Methodist Girls’ Brigade, the Hockey Club, the St. John Ambulance cadets and the Boys’ Brigade and they said they thought their particular groups would be glad to use the school for combined social events, but probably not before September.

Enthusiastic

Other members of the Youth Council, especially the homeless groups, were enthusiastic about its possibilities.

Miss M. Boys, headmistress of North End School, who was deputising for Miss Tupholme, said the committee hoped the centre would give young people an opportunity to organise themselves. At the moment definite plans for the future use of the school had not been made. At a meeting to be held there at the end of the month the committee would consider applications from groups and homeless organisations who wished to use the rooms.

Three rooms are available including a large one for dancing and sport. There is a canteen in one of the smaller rooms. A kitchen is to be fitted with a gas water heater and cooker. Another £200 has been granted for furnishings.

Mr. L. J. Wilce, chairman of the committee, said he hoped they might be able to utilise the playground and make two hard tennis courts as well – if funds could be found.

A reporter asked Mr. B. R. Palmer, president of Rushden Rotary Club, whether, in view of the fact that the Rotary Club had been the first body in the town to instigate a thorough inquiry into youth requirements and facilities, they intended to give backing and or financial aid to this project.

Mr. Palmer replied that the Rotary was not a philanthropic organisation that handed out money to anybody to spend as they wished, but when they saw a specific need they tried to supply it.

At a Rotary meeting this week an interm report of the committee’s findings had been put forward to members. The committee is to publish a full report, together with the conclusions reached at the end of the month and the club will then decide what they will do, if anything.

Youth Centre Opening

Rushden Youth Committee meeting on Tuesday in the re-decorated Moor Road School learned that the school would be opening as a youth centre in September.

The exact date, and plans for running the centre are subject to suggestions from youth organisations in the town. Miss P. M. Tupholme, the county youth organiser, said that she was circulating existing groups with details of the facilities open to them at Moor Road School and was awaiting applications for the use of the premises.

The committee also would like to hear from young people who would like to form a new group and use the school as headquarters.

In the meantime, arrangements have been made for the Rushden Youth Council, which comprises representatives of most youth groups in the town, to meet the committee at its next meeting on June 12, and put forward their views.

Six youth groups are using Moor Road club

After nearly two years’ discussion, protest, examination and wrangling about the problem of what to do with the young people of Rushden in their leisure time, something concrete is beginning to function.

This is the youth club in Moor Road, financed and administered by the county youth authorities in conjunction with the local youth committee.

The idea of turning the old school building into a club to provide a meeting place for young people and general facilities for entertainment was the slow outcome of an initial upheaval caused by the late Mr. Arthur Williams. An American businessman born at Rushden, he offered the money to build a youth centre for boys and girls, aged six to 14.

His offer met at first with enthusiasm, and then with opposition. After meetings arranged both in England and America with leading people of the town interested in youth, the idea fizzled out. It was felt in most quarters that an older age group should be catered for.

‘Unclubbables’

Certain church leaders firmly opposed the idea of any open youth group operating.

The Rotary Club set up a special investigation committee and results showed that a large percentage of the youth was un-catered for in existing groups.

Meetings of the youth committee raised the question of “unclubbables” and it was urged that something should be done to keep teenagers off the streets in the evenings.

Eventually the county authorities agreed to give a grant to cover the cost of redecorating and furnishing the premises in Moor Road. As a result, the Rotary Club, whose members had hinted that they might be prepared to finance and even run an open group, decided to wait and see what would happen.

Six Groups

At the moment, although the club is being used, it is not apparent whether it will be able to fulfil its original purpose – to reach the “unclubbables” and fill the need for a social centre.

Miss P. M. Tupholme, Wellingborough and District youth organiser, told the “Echo and Argus” that about six youth groups – Guides, Scouts, model railway club and others – are using one room of the club regularly and something is going on most nights of the week.

However, furnishing and heating is yet to be completed, so all three rooms are not in use.

As the county grant for maintaining the place is very small, it is not yet possible for any real open club activities to be run, but it is hoped at the New Year to hold some kind of social and encourage young men and women to come along and, later, to come regularly.

‘Matter of Time’

If enough of the town’s youths express a desire to use the place as a club, it is hoped the grant may be increased, possibly to the extent that a full-time leader can be engaged to organise activities. But all this will be a matter of time, said Miss Tupholme.

“At the moment, we can’t really attempt to get at the people who really need the club; eventually we hope to contact them, but at the moment we are trying to help groups already formed by letting them have somewhere to meet. We have to go slowly in forming a life of its own at the club and we don’t want to plan anything without being sure that it is going to be appreciated.

“I don’t think the ‘unclubbable’ problem is worse at Rushden than at Wellingborough or any other town in the country, but it is a problem still the same and we are feeling our way in trying to deal with it. We can help more clubs and are only too pleased to hear from any organisation which wishes to use the place.

Caught in a game of musical arches are some of the young people who attended an opening night social of the Youth Centre in Moor Road.

Youth Centre Social

Rock ’n Rolling teenagers gave good support on Saturday to the opening social of the Moor Road Youth Centre at Rushden, and there were more than seventy girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 21 at the event.

The centre has been open for individual youth organisations since October, but Saturday’s social was the first of a series of events open to all teenagers, whether they are members of the groups already using the centre or have no connection with any group.

Sponsored by the County Council, the centre is organised by the Rushden Youth Committee, whose chairman, Mr. L. J. Wilce, said at the social that he thought the facilities offered were among the best in the area.

Not all the evening was devoted to rock ‘n roll, for the Select Trio provided a varied programme of all types of music, and the M.C., Mr. Charlie Jones, organised a variety of games.

Attending the social was the new county youth organiser, Mr. D. A. Ward.

Helpers included Miss P. M. Tupholme (Rushden youth organiser), Mrs. C. A. Bailey (youth employment officer), Mr. J. Coke (vice chairman), Mrs. Cooke, Mr. and Mrs. H. Jones, Mrs. E. Young, and members of the Rangers Company.