This page gives an overview of the project and tracks its progress. The IT Kiosk was installed at Rushden Museum on 1st May 2009 and our website continues to grow. We have now completed the Heritage Lottery Funded project but we will continue to add to the website as long as we have material to process. We have also issued a DVD "A History of Rushden".
Latest News
- 01.05.2009 - Today the Mayor, Councillor Barbara Jenney, unveiled the IT Kiosk in Rushden Museum. This marks the end of our Heritage Lottery Funded project. The funding ends, but the project does not - we will keep adding to the site so long as people come forward with pictures, information and memories. Anyone who would like to help, is invited to come to one of the summer workshops on Monday afternoons (not Bank Holidays) 2pm-4pm, May to October 2009, at Rushden Museum.
- 27.04.2009 - The War section had another update of the street memorials and some of the war memorial men. The Shoetrade section has an article on new factories in 1908 and an item about shomaking before machinery. Additional pages in the People section for Mrs Muxlow and Doris Walding, and three new obituaries, with an article in History of the unveiling of a blue plaque to Mrs Muxlow. Leisure has a page on the 1971 Carnival Queen and music in the 1960s. Land has an article about Rushden Hall 1971.
- 05.04.2009 - The Health section has a whole set of new pages on the Sanatorium and Rushden Hospital. The details about the TB Aftercare have also been updated. The Land section has a new set of features on Rushden House. The People section has a feature on the Browning Family, plus there are two new obituaries. The Transport section has updated its feature on trams for Rushden.
- 30.03.2009 - There has been a further extensive update to the feature on the men listed on the war memorial in the War section, together with all related files and indexes.
- 20.03.2009 - The War section has had another update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. Related files have also been updated. there are new pages on Private Keith Nutter, Enlistments in March 1940, A Council debate on "Dig for Victory" in 1940, a First Aid Post in 1940,. The Street Memorials page has been updated. The Commerce section has a major new feature on Rushden & Higham Ferrers Water Board. There are new features on Abbott's, Jim Bugby, old shops in the High Street and The Co-op's Dial Farm. The features on Brickmaking, Rollie Cox, Lloyd's Bank, Neville's, Reid's and Royal Mail have been updated. In the Churches section, there is a new feature on the graveyard and inscriptions of the Old Baptist Church. The Crime section has an updated feature on Cave's factory fire plus the page on the fire station in 1902. The Leisure section has updates on the Buffs, the Free Gardeners, the Palace Cinema and the Windmill Club. The People section has updates to the pages on Geoff Abbott and John Hearn, plus there is one new obituary. The Shoe Trade section has a new page on Fred Knight. There are updates to the pages on Cave's, Fred Hawkes, Strong & Fisher, and Totectors 100 Years. The Transport section has updated its feature on the railway station. The Newton Bromswold section has a new feature on the Ladies Friendship Hour 1983-8. The Credits Page has also been updated.
- 12.03.2009 - The War section has had another extensive update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. Related files have also been updated. The Commerce section has a new feature on DR Curtis, the printer. The pages on the Royal Mail, Dubiliers and Charles Smith have also been updated. In the Education section, the page on Tennyson Road Nursery has been updated. The Yelden section has two further entries on the Roll of Honour and a poem by Don Annis. The Leisure section has an update to the features on St Mary's Football, Skittles, and the Talent Show of 1955. The People section has updates to the pages on John Clark, Ted Smith and Ada Sail's diary of 1940.
- 10.03.2009 - The History section has an new interactive e-book feature showing views of the town taken from the tower of St Mary's Church in 2008.
- 08.03.2009 - The Land section has an interactive e-book feature accompanying the article on the opening of Rushden Hall in 1930. There are also features on Common Land and the Almshouses. The feature on Rushden Manors has been updated. The Education section has new features on Denfield Park School, National Schools, Hayway Schools, plus new photos from the 1890s and 1930s on schools and school outings. There are also updates on North end school, The Adult School and Rushden Schools in the 1930s. The History section has new items from 1930, including road widening and a new beauty spot. There are snippets from 1919, a Council Yearbook for 1971, and a report of a civic service. There are updates to the Blue Plaques feature, plus those on Council Plans J Enos Smith Notes, and the weather index. The People section has new features on Christine Carter, John Hearn, and Rushden men in Canada in Canada in 1912. the pages on Charles Ette and Home Hints have also been updated. The Shoe Trade section has updates to the John Cave and Boot School features, plus minor amendments to items on Jaques & Clark, Charles Horrell and John White.
- 07.03.2009 - The War section has had another extensive update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. Related files have also been updated. There is a new feature on the Parker family, plus updates to the pages on The Spitfire Fund and Jack Tear's wartime memories. The Churches section has an article on the Wesleyan Young Men Association in 1895. The Commerce section has a report on The Co-op in 1940, plus and update on the article on the Royal mail. There are four new banckruptcy reports. The Crime section has reports on the opeining of the new fire station in 1985. There are also two new reports of fires in 1909. The Health section has a feature on Dr Paine's Surgery in 1940, and also a TB aftercre report from the same year. The Leisure section has new features on The Buffs, a Co-op "street tea" in 1911, the Masonic Hall, and Barbara Kimberley's retirement from the Library. The items on the Homing Society and the 1911 Coronation have been updated. The Yelden section has an further item for the Roll of Honour and a poem from 1703. The feature on the Chequers has been updated.
- 19.02.2009 - The Commerce section new features on the Lloyds Bank, the Royal Mail, and the opening of Phillips & Son shop in 1963, plus various articles from the year 1919 - adverts, trades council, co-op tea. The Leisure section has new features on the Royal Theatre, the Palace Cinema and the 1891 rugby team. Items from 1930 include Rushden Town Cricket Club, the Baptist Cricket Club, and the Impregnable Shoes sports ground. 1919 features include the Wesleyan Brigade camp, Mission cricket and other sporting events. The pages on local football teams, skittles, the Query Club, Hewitts newsclips, the Rifle Band, the Amateur Dramatic Society 1899, and the opening of the Library in 1905 have all been updated. The Shoe Trade section has updates to the features on the Co-op, the Boot School exams, John White, NUBSO, and the Shoe Manufacturers Association.
- 18.02.2009 - The Land section has a major new feature on the mediaeval open field system, the enclusure of 1778, plus details of ownership, field names and furlong names. The section also now includes the Land Tax list of 1801. There are also details of a housing scheme in 1919, and memories of Rushden Hall in 1930. The People section has a new sub-section on House & Home & Fashion, and features items on home hints, including the care of silk stockings. There is a feature on WJ Anker and memories of Gloucester Crescent in the 1950s, plus three new obituaries and one new golden wedding report. The diaries of Ada Sail were featured on BBC Radio Northampton in the week of February 9-15). The Ada Sail feature has a link to those audio clips on the BBC site. The War section has had a further extensive update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. Related files have also been updated. There are also new items on the Co-op war memorial and service, street memorials, evacuees in 1939. The Health section has several new features from 1919: shortage of coal, tuberculosis, the pensions committee, a motor ambulance, and the purchase of Rushden House as a future sanatorium. there is an update on ambulance funding in 1928, plus a shoe factory accident in 1909. The Newton Bromswold section has a new feature on commemorations in the two world wars, plus an update on the Monument Inscriptions in the curchyard. The Yelden section has a number of new features : memories of the village in the 1930s, motorcycle scrambling events, the old Chequers pub, the 1917 estate sale. The baptism records for 1602-1755 and the 1901 Census pages have also been updated.
- 28.01.2009 - In an important addition to the Genealogy section, the burial records for St Peter's RC Church have now been transcribed. The baptisms there have also been amended. Seven new wills have been transcribed. Amendments have been made to 1891 census household records, plus other details in the 1881 and 1901 records. There have also been minor amendments to the cemetery listings. The Crime section has four new fire reports, plus new features on the Volunteer Fire Brigade of 1889, snippets from the Petty Sessions, and a report of a murder in 1890. The Education section has new features on Alfred St School c.1887, Miss Wagstaff's Nursery School c1890, National Schools in 1914, and the career of Brian Clayton. The Land section has two new items on Rushden Hall. The Leisure section has new features on the rebuilding of the Band Club and the new Scout HQ (both in 1939), the Belgian Colour Day 1914, Beaumont Cycling Club 1902, St Mary's Football, Cycling in 1914, and the Rushden Mission Band marching in the 1930s. There are new images on the Rushden Mission Band photogallery and also on the feature on Ray Clark. The People section has three new obituaries. The Shoe Trade section has a new feature on E Salmon & Co.; pages on Caves, Chapmans, Sidney Fox and Tecnic have also been updated. The Chelveston section has a report of diptheria at Caldicott in 1919, plus one new transcribed will.
- 27.01.2009 - The War section has had a further extensive update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. Related files have also been updated. The Commerce section has new features on the brief history of shops, Christmas shops in 1900, the opening of a building society in 1929, Fleckner's milliners, lankester's, and Chas Smith the chemist. There are seven new bankruptcies, plus updates on the pages on Rushden electricity, the Post Office, Horse & Rider, Reid's, Tailby & Putnam, and the mineral water companies. The History section has a new feature on Green's windmill, a deed from 1946, the Urban Council building in 1906, plus new details on Council plans from 1888-1938.
- 21.01.2009 - The War section has had a further extensive update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. There are also new features on Belgian guests in 1914, soldiers' accounts of conditions at the Front in 1914, and being a prisoner of war, plus updates to the War Names in the church, Soldiers Notes and VE Day Anniversary Parade in 1995.
- 19.01.2009 - Several new and updated interactive e-books have gone on-line. The Shoe Trade section has two new e-book features on Cox & Wright, plus new features on James Hyde Ltd, Selwoods, and other new factories in 1908. In the Transport section, the feature on Birch Bros Coaches now has an interactive e-book added, and the feature on Pecks PX Transport has been updated. The e-book on Mission Church cricket teams has been extended. The Education section has new features on the employment of children, Alfred St School in 1897, South End School in 1898, Miss Wagstaff's school in 1887, school fields in 1929 and proposed new schools in 1930. The Health section has a report of an injury to a woodman in 1921. The History section has a feature on road wdening in 1909 and Christmas games in 1903. The Yelden section has a report of the sale of grassland in 1921. The Newton Bromswold section has a new feature on the war memorial, plus an update of the monument iscriptions in the churchyard.
- 16.01.2009 - The Churches section has a new feature on the Full Gospel Church, plus additional features for St Mary's, the Mission Church, and Park Road Baptist Church sections. The Chelveston section has a new article on Robert Page DCM, plus two new transcribed wills.
- 15.01.2009 - The War section has had an extensive update of the details of the men listed on the war memorial. The features on street memorials have also been updated. There are new features on the Boer War 1900, and relief aid given to the Belgians in 1914. The Leisure section has new features on a biography of Ray Clarke, an angling competition in 1929, the Rifle Band and a talk given to the Allotment Society in 1921. Features on the Mission Band, and the opening of the swimming pool have also been updated. The People section has new features on Peter Butler, Pat Abbott and George Abbott. There are reports of one diamond and two golden weddings, plus seven new obituaries. Updates and related links have been done to relevant pages. The Land section has a feature on Rushden Hall in 1929, and land for council housing in 1953. The Transport section has a feature on Lack Bros.
- 21.12.2008 - There are important new visual features added to the site. After extensive original research, the Shoe Trade section has a new interactive feature showing in graphical form the rise and fall of the shoe trade in Rushden. The Adobe Flash Player is needed to use it - a download link is supplied for those who do not already have it installed. Thanks to further editing of the films shot in the late 1960s by Bill Houghton, the Leisure section has new movie clips showing the Carnival of 1967. There are new features on St Crispin's Townswomen's Guild, the opening of the bandstand in Spencer Park The Rushden Mission Band photogallery has been updated with new entries; there are new addtions to the features on the Rushden bandstand in Hall Park and the Temperance Band Concert in 1951.
- 20.12.2008 - The Commerce section has a feature on Mineral Water manufacturers. The People section has two new obituaries. The War section has memories of Rushden's preparations for war, plus updates on the names on the war memorial, and other commemorations. There is also an update of the page on the Spitfire Fund.
- 18.12.2008 - The Transport section has expanded its feature on the railway station. The History section has another new feature - a record and interpretation of some of the blue plaques put up by Rushden & District History Society to commemorate significant histroical sites around the town. The Churches section has new features in the Salvation Army and Independent Wesleyan Church sections. The Education section has a feature on Mr Burnham's Class of 1952 at Alfred Street School. The Genealogy section has a transcribed deed of Apprenticeship from 1774. In a major update, the Land section now has indexes to owners and occupiers in the 1910 Valuation. The Newton Browswold section has a brief history of St Peter's Church. The Credits page has also been updated.
- 17.12.2008 - There has been a problem with the Site Search facility over recent days. The program was not working, owing to the increased size of the site following the recent updates. The problem has now been resolved and the site search should function properly now. We apologise to all site visitors who have been inconvenienced this week.
- 08.12.2008 - The Health section has a report of the welfare Clinic in 1963 and one on the gas accident of the Frost family home in 1929. The Churches section has updates to items in St Mary's, Highfield Baptist Church and the Old Baptist marriages. The Commerce section has an updated feature on Marriott's and the NatWest bank, plus new features on Fleckners the Milliners and the opening of a building society in 1929. One new bankruptcy (JE Taylor) has been added to the indexed list. The Crime section has two new fire reports. The Leisure section has a feature on the opening of the swimming pool in 1929, plus two more features on the Library and an article on the Collectors Circle. There are also items on the Life Boys Quiz of 1963, the Windmill Club, and the Christmas Lights of 2007. The Shoe Trade section has updates to many features in the Leather Trades directories for 1914 and 1916, plus the addition of the Kelly's directory for 1903. The Transport section has an item on the railway station. The War section has seventeen new additions to details on the war memorial, plus features on Civil Defence, Information given to Relatives in 1940, and updates on street memorials. The Credits page has been updated.
- 08.12.2008 - The History section has a major new feature - a Thousand Years of Rushden, which gives many pages of snapshots of Rushden life, especially in the last century. There are also features on the Urban Council Building of 1906, details of the listed buildings of Rushden, more weather reports from the past, and a long feature recording Kim Harris' memories of life in the town. The Education section has features on the School Board elections 0f 1877, the adult school male choir, the opening of the new Technical Institute in 1928, and Safe Cycling at Whitefriars in 1997. The People section has nine new obituaries including one on WA Scoles, with links to eight other pages on him. There are also reports on three golden weddings, and features on Walter Tull and Herbert Tomlin the postman. There are updates to the features on Eileen Bailey and The Birds - Pearly King & Queen.
- 26.11.2008 - The Commerce section has a feature on Marriott's the builders, with interlinked memories and photogalleries. Items have been added for the Lightstrung and two traders in 1908. There are six new entries in the index of bankruptcies, including an extensive item on George Denton. The Churches section carries a report on the opening of St Peter's Anglican Church. several updates have been made to other pages - JE Smith notes, the Elim Church, and St Mary's MIs. The Crime section has a report on a case of cruelty in 1908. Two new reports on fires have been added to the index of fires. The Education section has a feature on an explosion at Newton Road School. Several other pages have had minor amendments and updates. The Genealogy section has one new will. The Health section has an item on the opening of the Clinic in 1928, and another on 100 years of St John Ambulance. The History section now carries the Absent Voters list for 1919 and the Rates Assessment for 1928. It also has more features on weather in Rushden during the last century, alsong with more notes by J E Smith. The People section has new features on the Baker brothers, Nancy Hopkins and H.E. Bates' uncle. There are five new obituaries, plus several updates to existing features. The Shoe Trade section has new features on the Shoe Manufacturers' Association Jubillee of 1958, including a gallery of pictorial adverts. Tom Thacker's memories of Jaques & Clark have been added to the listing of that firm. The feature on Trademarks has also been updated, and there is a brief item from 1908 on T T Clarke. The Transport section has a brief item on how sheepdogs once beat the coach back home from London. The War section has an item on brothers in arms.
- 21.11.2008 - The Education section has two features on the Newton Road Schools - the retirement of Miss Childs and photos of classes from 1948 and 1955. There are also three major new interactive e-book features: photogalleries of South End Schools from their times in High Street South and their present location in Wyminton Road, plus a series of views from the bell tower of Newton Road School. The Chelveston section has a feature on the arrival of a B-47 Flying Fortress aircraft in 1956. The Churches section carries a photo feature on a Tea held by the Mission Church on the Mission Field. The Crime section has a report on the burning of the bandstand in 1997. The Higham Park section has two new features on its history, plus listings of the 1910 valuation and also a reprt on farming there in 1950. The Leisure section has a report on the 40th anniversary of the Query Club. The People section two new obituaries.
- 20.11.2008 - The War section has a major update feature - the listings for the names of the people on the war memorial have the first batch of links to details on the individuals. The section also has features on Elsie Priestley; the declaration of peace in 1918; the VE tea in Upper Queen Street; and the part two Rushden men played in the daring raid on a U-Boat in 1944. The Commerce section has features on Cartwright's Stores, Tailby & Putnam the grocers, W P Orrell the pharmacist. There is an article on newpapers which were circulating in 1908, plus some adverts from 1897. There is a feature on Horace Wills, plus updates to the pages on Wills Department Store, the Queen Victoria Hotel, Clive Wood, The Electricity Company, and the Co-op gallery. The Health section has features on the Cottage Hosptial 1918 and also the Polio Vaccinnations of 1956. The History section has features on The Vyne and also a Christmas Card sent by a councillor in 1962. The Transport section has a feature on the demolition of the railway bridge, plus a full report on the proposal and failed scheme for trams to run in Rushden. The Chelveston section now carries the 1919 Absent Voters listing.
- 13.11.2008 - The Education section has extensive new features on the opening of Rushden School in 1992 and memories of Whitefriars Junior School in the same period. There is also a feature on South End Junior School field. The Churches section carries a feature on the Church Lads Brigade, plus two new items for Highfield Baptist Church. There is also a listing of shoe manufacturers who were also non-conformists. The Genealogy section has five new wills. The History section has features on the A6 bypass, and street names since 1901. The Health section has a feature on the chairty SERVE. The People section has a whole series of new features: Alfred Dobbs, Arthur George, Dr Lean, Ebenezer Knight, George Osborne; memories from William Green and Ralph Thompson; an update of the page on the Lipscombe family, plus two new obituaries. In the Leisure section, the Rushden Mission Band photogallery has been updated with new entries. The Shoe Trade section has new features on Horrell's, Radburne & Bennett, DB Shoes, and Tuffrey's, plus a couple of new features on the CWS factory. There is also a transcription of the section on shoemaking in Northamptonshire from the Victoria County History series of publications. The War section has features on George Trussler, F Toby DCM, and WH Tomkins. There are updates and new features to the Street Memorials, and a feature on Glassbrook Road. The Chelveston page has a feature on the return of the 305th Bomb Group in 1992. The Court Estate section has new features on the Court Estate Concert Party, plus a number of amendments.
- 03.11.2008 - The Genealogy section now has transcriptions of Baptisms 1902-25 at St Peter's Roman Catholic Church. The Crime section has a feature on former policeman Arthur Evans. The Land section now has the complete listings for Valuations in 1910. All previously missing streets have now been added. The Leisure section has new features on football teams, Rushden & Higham Rugby Club (with a list of players [1950-2000] plus a tribute to Tony Goodfellow), and Walter Tull - footballer for Northampton Town. The Mothers Club page has also been updated. The People section carries a feature on Jenny Wynd.
- 30.10.2008 - The Churches section carries a feature on Miscellaneous Notes on Rushden churches made by J Enos Smith. There are also extra features on St Mary's Church. The Crime section has a report of a fire at Manor Farm in 1952, and the Land section has a photgallery of Manor Farm itself. The Genealogy section has one new will, plus a number of minor amendments. The Index of Trades Directories hass two additions the registers of trades and names in 1958. The Chelveston parish registers have been revised, extended with new listings and the index has been reorganised.
- 28.10.2008 - A new site search facility has in now available from the home page and the main index page, and is gradually being introduced to all the sub-index pages as they are updated. The Commerce section has Brian hill's memories of working at Marriott's. The Education section has a major expansion of its feature on Tennyson Road School, an article on safe cycling at North End School in 1963, plus listings of early Rushden schools and teaching staff. The People section has a feature on ex-evacuee Daisy Clarke. There are also three new obituaries.
- 22.10.2008 - The History section has a major new feature - The Electoral Roll of 1925. Other items include articles from the 1920s on blackberrying, Ditchford Bridge, and the weather. The Commerce section has a feature on the memories of John Lewis, a worker for the electricity company. This is also linked to the page on the arrival of electric power in Rushden. The Leisure section has a feature on Bowling in Spencer park in 1952, plus transcriptions of the Library Rules in 1905 and 1951. The People section has an expanded feature on W A Scholles and his music, plus a report on the Thacker-Beaumont wedding of 1944. One new obituary has also been added. The Transport section has a new Overview page, plus two items from 1915 - a journey to Stamford and a missing drayman. There is also a short item about carriers in 1840 & 1860. The War section has the first batch of linked files, where the list of names on the warmemorial for both world wars now carry links to items on the individual men. The feature on street memorials has also been updated.
- 15.10.2008 - The Commerce section carries nummerous new features, including an overview of Rushden Business and Commerce, a photofeature on adverts from the 1911 Rushden Guide, a report on the opening of the waterworks in 1906, J G Swart the optician, Waterwise plumbing, Margaret's flowers, and Hugh Wilmott the grocer. The Churches section carries a list of Ministers at Hope Methodist Church, with photos of the most recent, plus several reports of Choirs and Concerts at St Mary's Parish Church. The Genealogy section has four new wills. The Health section has reports on Christmas at the Sanatorium in 1944, Nursing Association advice to expectant mothers in 1936, and Frank Whitworth's accident in 1907. The History section carries a transcription and images from the 1911 Town Guide. The Land section has a brief history of Rushden Hall. The People section has a report and obituary for H G Wilmott. The Credits page has also been updated.
- 14.10.2008 - There are now major updates to the Education section: transcriptions of the Admissions to Newton Road School 1918-1925. There are also details and memories of Hayway Nursery Unit in the 1990s, and the Whitefriars Infants School. The Crime section has updated details of Rushden Fire Service and its engines. The Leisure section has new features on local football teams, including team photos. Help is wanted in identifying teams and faces. There are details of prominent concerts given by the Temperance Band, and also an illustration and transcription of the Amenities Society's illustrated brief history of Rushden. The War section has several new features from 1944 - the memorial, cards from the forces, memories, awards and tributes. There are also reports on the British legion, The Parish Roll of 1943, and the service at the Cenotaph. The Newton Bromswold section has a report on a school concert from 1944. The Yelden section has a report of gifts to the school from the US forces in 1944.
- 06.10.2008 - The Education section's listings for Alfred St Admissions have been updated and extended. They now include the period 1906-1922, and also the lists of those transferred in 1914 to create the new Mixed school from the previously separate Boys' and Girls' schools. There is also a short feature on South End School 1936. The Leisure section has extensive new features and updates, including the Spencer park Swimming Pool, plus pool, improvements in 1968; the Ladies Circle; the Tangent Club; the proclamation of George V's accession in 1910; in additon, there are more reports on RATS and Operatic Society productions, also updates on the Rotary Club and The Housemartins. The Churches section has new items on The Progressive Spiritualist Church, a Royal Visit to the YMCA Hall, and a report on the Wesleyan Mothers & Babies Tea of 1953. The Commerce section carries features on the family businesses of Don and Frank Wills - Palace Motors and the Alfred Street beerhouse. The Crime section has the history of the Fire Service in Rushden, plus details of a fire at Nene Valley Mobile Homes in 1967. The Health section has expanded its feature on Adnitt Road Medical Centre. The History section's feature on industrial archictecture has been updated. There is also a new feature - a poem: "High Street Remembered" for the year 1986. The Land section has details of the Rushden Hall Land Sale of 1929. The People section has features on Chris Magee and Edith Mole, plus four new obituaries. The Shoe Trade section has a new photo-feature on Bignells in 1943, plus a short report on shoecraft in wartime recycling conditions. The War section has a feature on the ATC of 1942, plus features on shoemaking in wartime. The Home Guard feature has been updated with names of every officer on a photo from 1944. The Genealogy section has four new wills. The Newton Bromswold section has a short report on the death of Richard King in 1944.
- 05.10.2008 - The site has now recorded over 40,000 unique visitors since its launch in April 2007. Between them, those visitors have viewed just over a quarter of a million pages and other audio-visual features on this site.
- 23.09.2008 - The Education section now carries photos of Miss Dobell's Kindergarten in the 1940s. Help with further information or identifying children in the photos would be greatly appreciated.
- 23.09.2008 - The Education section has a feature on North End School, with memories from 1968.
- 22.09.2008 - The Churches section has new items in the features on St Mary's and also the Old Baptist Church. The Commerce section now carries a feature on Wilmott Photographic Services. The Leisure section has new features on parades, coronations, carnivals (including a new e-book) the Choral Society and the uniforms of Rushden Mission Band. The Land section has details of the sale of 48 High Street South in 1929. The People section has new features and four new obituaries. The Shoe Trade section has new features on Fred Hawkes, Strong & Fisher, William Green, Tanners Regulations, and Trades Unions. The War section has a feature on Don Curtis plus one new obituary. The Genealogy section has one new will. The Newton Bromswold section has features on the church and a carol concert, plus three new wills.
- 18.09.2008 - The Education section has new features on Hayway School, North End School, and the Intermediate School in the 1930s. The listings for the Girls Admissions for Alfred Street Schools have also been updated, as have pages on Tennyson Road 2003, Miss Bull's Class of 1952 and Boys Education 1949-91.The Health section has a short report on the Flu outbreak of 1970. The Commerce section has memories of Harry Grren's ice creams and also an account of working at the Co-op. The Crime section has a report of an assault in 1928. The Genealogy section has two new wills.
- 16.09.2008 - There is now a major addition to the section on Yelden. Many of the parish Registers (Baptisms, marraiges 7 Burials) are now live. The Census data has also been updated. The section on Chelveston has new features on a sale in 1903, a school concert and an Old Scholars association item from 1928. Four new wills have been transcribed. The Churches section carries updated details on the Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall. The Court Estate section has new features on the residents in 1935, a visit to Whipsnade Zoo in 1936, and the details of the Court estate Sale have been updated with a map.
- 07.09.2008 - Two more movie clips from 1968 have been added to the site, this time to the Leisure section. One is of a fairground ordgan in College Street, the other is of a bowls match.
- 05.09.2008 - Another audio track from the tape recorded by the Rushden Mission Band in 1993 has been added to the page dedicated to it. Jack Tear's page on memories of the WEA (Worker's Educational Association) now carries two audio clips. Jim Matthew's page on a life in the shoe trade also has audio clips.
- 02.09.2008 - The Leisure section has further features on Rushden Mission Band, including another audio track from 1993. The Health section has a new movie clip - an "At Home" in 1968 at Rushden Sanatorium in support of Rushden TB Aftercare Committee. The Shoe Trade section has a new directory listing for 1914, plus an article on D B shoes. The Churches section has a new feature on The Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall. The Genealogy section has three new wills. The People section has one new obituary. The Newton Bromswold section has four features on the village school and one new will has been added.
- 01.09.2008 - Movie clips have now been added to the site, thanks to the generosity of people loaning video tapes and home movies. The first two can be found in the Education section. additions - listings for Roman Catholic Church Registers 1884-1901 as well as an index of marriages 1912-1930, and the household listings for the 1891 Census. The Court Estate section has an article on Court Stores. The Education section has Miss Bull's class photo from 1952. The Leisure section now carries an audio track played by Rushden Mission Band in 1993. The section also has features on the Rotary Club, and a Trade Fair of 1958. The Transport section has a feature on track-laying in 1951.
- 28.08.2008 - The Churches section has a number of new features covering most of the denominations, including a major new section on St Peter's (Church of England). The Commerce section has summary feature on Banks and early plans for the Market. There are also features on several businesses from the 1890s. The Crime section has a new feature on the building of the police station, along with new reports of accidents, crimes and fires. The Education section has a transcription of extracts from Moor Road School logbooks 1899-1912, plus other articles on school teachers, scholars and concerts. The Health section has a number of new articles on dental and other medical services from the late 19th century. The History section has a major new feature: The 1918 Electoral Roll. There are also numerous other articles about local life and politics. The Leisure section has a significant number of new features on clubs, societies and events over the past hundred and twenty years. The Land section has an article on the sale of property in 1890. The People section has features on W J Bridgford the bandsman and Claude Graham-White the aviator, there is a feature on the Attlee family and there is also one new obituary. The Shoe Trade section has extended its articles on Trade Union membership, and now also includes the Rivetters & Finishers Union. There are also features on Cunnington Bros, Clarke & Co, Jaques & Clark, The Victoria Shoe Co, and extra items on the Co-op factory and John Cave & Sons. The Transport section has articles on the railway and James Sargent's Carriage Hire. The War section has features on local men killed in Northern Ireland and Iraq, plus one new obituary. The Chelveston section has two reports from 1889 - on the Cricket Club and a Concert, and and two from 1965 - the School Christmas Party, and a Youth Social Evening held by the Baptists. One new will has been added to the Newton Browswold section.
- 21.08.2008 - As a result of the kind co-operation of many people who have agreed to be interviewed about their life in Rushden, a number of sound files have been gathered. Some have been transcribed to create new pages on the site; some have been edited to provide sound clips to accompany the relevant articles and also to enhance other pages on the site. The first four of the sound clips are now live and are marked by a note in the relevant links: in the Introduction to Rushden Education, Connie Hobson reflects on the inequality of opportunity for girls, compared with boys; in the People section, Bert Catlin talks of how he came to attend the Mission Church; in the Churches section, Betty Smith talks about the Succoth Church and its Sunday School; and in the Shoe Trade section, Peter Danby describes the firefighting equipment in the CWS factory.
- 11.08.2008 - The Leisure section has two new e-book new features on the centenary concerts of the Temperance Band in 1975 and the Mission Band in 1998. There are extended features on the Amateur Dramatic Society and also the opening of Rushden Hall and Park in 1930. The Churches section has a feature on the history of St Peter's Catholic Church. The Commerce section has a feature on the former Calor Gas company. The Land section has listings of the farm census of 1952. The People section has a report on the Cox-Robinson wedding, plus one new obituary. The Shoe Trade section has extended its feature on Cave & Sons, and there are also new articles on Trade union membership. The War section has a new feature on German prisoners of war at Ploughman's Camp in 1916, plus updates on street memorials. The Chelveston section has listings for the farm census of 1952, plus two new wills. The Newton Bromswold section has the farm census of 1952.
- 07.08.2008 - The Shoe Trade section has a major new feature on the Co-operative Wholesale Society factory photos, including photos inside the CWS factory and also of its demolition. Other new features include P Collins & Co, slugging in 1901, wages in 1898, plus more on Tecnics, Tarry's and John White. The Churches section has a feature on Park Road Baptist Church Wives Fellowship, and artcle on The Rector John Thomas Barker, and listings of the Churchwarden's accounts 1718-1890. The Commerce section has a feature by Adrian House on his family firm of jewellers, plus a short article on the opening of the Post office in 1940. There are also four new bankruptcies. The Crime section has a large photo feature on the building of the new fire station in 1985. The Education section has a short article on a meeting at the Adult School in 1940. The Genealogy section has listings for Poor Law relief payments for 1814-1818. The Health section has a report of a fall from a ladder in 1940. The Leisure section has new features on the Housemartins social club, Rushden Institute in 1901, and a meeting of the Rotary Club in 1940. The Land section has an article on the sale of George Street in 1972, and Field Notes from 1730-31. The People section has features on Ernest Ashton, Bert Catlin, Connie Hobson, Betty Smith and Doris Walding, plus two new obituaries. The War section has updates on street memorials and the Home Guard, plus articles on the Spitfire Fund of 1940 and an obituary to Capt 'Andy' Palmer. The Chelveston section has listings for the 1910 Valuations. The Higham Park section has the Electoral Roll for 1918. The Newton Bromswold section has the Electoral Roll for 1918 plus a short report on a young girl wounded by a stray bullet in 1940.
- 30.07.2008 - The Shoe Trade section has a map of the shoe trade in Rushden in 1982. This accompanies the Industrial Archaeology (1982) feature in the History section.
- 30.07.2008 - The Shoe Trade section has another new interactive e-book presentation. This one is on the centenary of Cave & Sons Ltd.
- 29.07.2008 - The History section has a major new feature: a 1982 survey of industrial architecture in Rushden, with links to other site pages by way of extra illustration. In addition, the 1918 Absent voters list has been added, as have numerous new articles about freak weather conditions, including storm, flood, and even an earthquake! The Shoe Trade section has a listing of footwear manufacturers 1847-1940, plus a new interactive e-book presentation on FineArt Shoes. The Commerce section has listing of traders, inns and hotels for the years 1847-1940, plus details of the businesses which owned the first telephone numbers ever in Rushden. There is also a feature on Mike Neville Estate Agents. The Churches section has a feature on the new Anglican parish of Whitefriars church, with a link to the church's website. The Genealogy section has new items relating to the Poor Law. The Leisure section has new features on the 5th Air Scouts and Rushden & District History Society. The People section has a feature on the cyclist Fred Wood, plus a new obituary - to Harvey Britten. The 1937 Coronation Parade page also has a new image. The Yelden section has details of the some removals in 1830.
- 22.07.2008 - The Commerce section has a new feature on Clive Wood, the signwriter, and includes 5 galleries showing his work. The Education section has an article on Boys' Education 1949-1991, Tennyson Road School in 2003, and an Eastfields High School Concert in 1936. The Health section has a mediacl Offiecer's Report from 1917. The Leisure section has a feature on the Probus Club, and the item on Toc H has been updated with new images. The People section has a feature on the memories of Geoff Partridge, plus a new obituary to Louisa Tebbutt. The Shoe Trade section has several new features: Penn & Simmons retailers, Rushden heel Co., Fine Art Shoes, plus several items on sanders, including a list of Outworkers for 1884. The War section has new obituaries, and also an update to the item on street memorials (street shrines). The Chelveston section has items on Chelveston school. The Genealogy section has three new wills.
- 07.07.2008 - The Churches section has expanded its feature on Rushden Mission Church, with an account of the early years and a list of all the ministers who have served there.
- 30.06.2008 - The Commerce section has a table listing patterns of trades and crafts in Rushden between 1840 and 1940. The Education section has a listing of the Head Teachers of Alfred Street School. The Leisure section has an extra feature on Rushden Mission Band. The People section has a feature on "Rushden's Veterans" - 11 people; total age 965 years!
- 28.06.2008 - The Education section has an introduction/overview to education in Rushden, plus two major new features: first transcriptions of the Admission Books for Alfred Street and South End schools. The period covered by this update spans the 1880s to the early 1900s.
- 19.06.2008 - The Commerce section has major new feature on Boots the Chemist, Robert Marriott and the National Westminster Bank, plus three new items on the Co-op. There is also an extension on the feature on Ginns the blacksmith. The Churches section has a report on Youth Sunday in 1945, the opening of the BWTA HAll, plus an update of the Park Road Baptist section. The Crime section has more reports of fires and crimes.The History section has a report of heavy rain in 1927. the J E Smith articles have also been updated. The Land section has details of a sale of building plots in Duck Street in 1881, plus the Grange Farm sale of 1916. The Leisure section has a new interactive feature on Rushden Mission Band, plus features on Toc H, and also the Sartoris Road Coronation Celebrations in 1953. The People section now includes features on the Bates, Lawrence & Lucas families, plus further features on W A Scholes. There are also five new obituaries. The Genealogy section has two new wills. The Shoe Trade section has features on gas engines, plus the Cave & Sons liuidation of 1906.
- 12.06.2008 - The People section now has features on W A Scholes and John Cave, plus eight new obituaries. There is also a report on the Woodings Golden wedding. The Churches section has a transcription of a Salvation Army newsletter from 1991. The Crime section has a number of new reports on fires and accidents, plus a feature on the fire brigade's new engine in 1927. The Education section has articles on Chichele School in 1987 and the Newton Road School's visit to the Festival of Britain in 1951. The Genealogy section has two new wills.The Land section has details of a farm sale in 1854. The Leisure section has a feature on the Ladies Physical Culture Club. The Shoe Trade section has new features on the invention of the slugging machine and the cashflow difficulties of Tuffreys in 1926. The section on the Court Estate now carries a feature on the Bencroft Farm Sale of 1948 as well as details of the Court estate Concert party (Court Estate Players). The Yelden section now carries an article on the Methodist Boys Club of 1938.
- 06.06.2008 - The Shoe Trade section has a major extension to the feature on John White Shoes - including an extensive collection of photos taken inside the Lime Street factory. There is also a feature on the Central Machinery Co. The Commerce section now carries new features on local business and commerce, including Ginns the blacksmith, JS Clipson engineer, Florence Simpson, Swindalls, plus updates to the Co-op section. The Crime section has two reports of a fire and a theft in 1930.
- 06.06.2008 - The Health section has a major new feature - the history of The Northamptonshire Ambulance Service, with a number of focus items on Rushden. The St John Ambulance feature has been updated, and also linked to a new article on Margaret Whiteman in the People section, which in turn has several new items, including six new obituaries. The Leisure section has a series of new features including The Windmill and Athletic Clubs, an H E Bates trail, The Airgun League of 1930, plus new items on races and parades. The Genealogy section has an item on payment of Poor Relief 1821-8, plus two new wills. The Transport section has items on a sea journey to New Zealand made by the Bayes family in Victorian times, plus features on Ditchford and Irthlingborough stations. The Chelveston section has two new wills, plus a feature on the station. The History section carries details of plans passed by the Council in the late nineteenth centiury, when the town was developing rapidly. Also new are the memories of Margaret Clowes, plus several reports of unusual weather in the district over the past two centuries. The Land section has details of sales of cattle and property, including the sale of Rushden Hall in 1929.
- 05.06.2008 - The Churches section has several updated features for the Old Baptist Church and the Salvation Army. The Education section has a feature on the retirement of Mr Astle, plus Donna Aitkens memories of her schooldays at Newton Road and South End schools. The War section has been updated further, with details of the Wesleyan and Scouts' Rolls of Honour, plus articles on bandsman Arthur Oliver, and a letter sent by a man cpatured by the Germans in the Channel islands. The Higham Park section has details of the farm and equipment sale in 1972.
- 23.05.2008 - The War section has been updated with four new features: The Territorial Army, Glimpses of War 1917 and two large section on Civil Defence in 1939 and the work of the WVS (Women's Voluntary Service) in the Second World War.
- 22.05.2008 - The Genealogy section has further transcriptions of Poor Law documents, plus four new wills. The Churches section has a new feature on the Independent Wesleyan Church. The Shoe Trade section has an article on shoe care and also a featrure on Leedings, the shoe repairers. The People section has seven new features, icluding a major article on the Watsons of Rushden Gas Works. There are also eight new obituaries.
- 22.05.2008 - Updates to the Leisure section now include the Rambling Club and the Tortoise Group, Mission Cricket and the Rushden Mission Band reunion in 1947. The Chelveston section now has listings for the 1851 Census, geatures on a The Armistice Service in 1928, bonfire in 1928, and Civil defence in 1944. The Yelden section has a report of an airplane crash in 1944, plus a feature on the village halls. The Crime section has been updated with listings for Northampton Quarter Sessions 1630-57, a fatal accident in 1944, a report of a "drunk and disorderly" case in 1928, and new items have been added to the Fire Brigade feature. The Health section carries a report of the Rushden Ambulance Fund. The Commerce section has an article on Clipson's shop, plus a small feature on Wanklyn's, the Jewellers.
- 17.05.2008 - The People section has six new features; the Churches section has been updated with a new feature on the Savation Army, plus general listings for the Religious Censuses of 1851 and 1903. The Old Baptist main page has also been updated. The Health section carries a report of a gas explosion in 1903. The Shoe Trade section has a feature on the Chapmans Rambling Club plus an update on C Bull & Co.
- 17.05.2008 - The Commerce section has additional material on the Co-op, plus new features on retail businesses like Neville's, Robinson's and Shorley's. There are new memories of the High Street, plus an article on Rollie Cox's cafe. The Land section has details of the sale of Rushden Hall, the sale of four cottages in 1867, plus additions to the 1910 Valuations. The Genealogy section has further transcriptions of Poor Law documents, plus four new wills. The Chelveston section has listings for Freeholders and Musters in 1605, plus the Religious Census of 1851. The listings for Newton Bromswold now include the musters of the 1600s and the Religious Census of 1851. The Yelden section has details of the 1901 Census. There is a new obituary in the People section. The War section carries details on Musters in the 1600s and a feature on Street Memorials.
- 15.05.2008 - The Leisure section has been updated with new articles about the windmill Club, the Trade Union Club, the Library opening and its link with H E Bates, plus features on talent shows and various Cups. there have been amendments to over thirty pages on the site, with extra images in some cases.
- 30.04.2008 - The Chelveston section now has the Census data for 1871, 1881 and 1891. The Yelden section now has the Census data for 1871 & 1881. The Higham Park section has a farm inventory from 1914, plus the 1851 religious census. The section on the Court Estate now carries a feature on the Court estate Concert Party of the 1950s and also the Bencroft Cattle Sale of 1956. Minor additions and updates to articles in the People section. The Genealogy section has three new wills.
- 24.04.2008 - The Genealogy section now carries details of the Poor Law and the various listings associated with it. 14 more inventories have been transcribed in the Wills section. The People section has a feature on Audrey Clark, plus items on R W Norman. The Churches section has a photogallery on the Mission Operatic Group from 1924. The Commerce section has new features on Robert Marriott's building of the Northamptonshire Union Bank, plus a report on a court case against the Rushden Electric Supply Co. The Health section has a major new feature - the work of th TB Aftercare Committee. The Leisure section carries details of the Millennium Project run by Rushden Amenities Committee. The Shoe Trade section has a report on the John White's Reunion Dinner. The Chelveston section now has the 1918 Electoral Roll, Census data for 1841 and 1861, plus a newly transcribed will and inventory. There is also a feature on the Church in 1924. The Yelden section now has the Census data for 1841, 1851 & 1861, plus a transcription of the Methodist Chapel Minute Book for the period 1950-1963.
- 17.04.2008 - The Crime section has been updated with a report of a large fire at Ellard & Howes' factory in 1907. The Hope Methodist Church feature in the Churches section now carries updates to the pages on the Historic Roll and the Stonelaying ceremony.
- 16.04.2008 - The Shoe Trade section has a major update on John White's. The Churches section has been updated with new features on Park Road Baptist Church, including a yearbook and list of church members in 1960. The War section has new articles on air raid precautions and the local support given to the Red Cross. The Leisure section has a transcription of wrestling programmes held mainly at the Town Football Ground in 1961. The Education section has an article from 1963 on the teaching rewards which go to women. The Commerce section has updates on the Co-op. Four more wills have been added in the Genealogy section. The Chelveston section has new features on its Crime and Land sections, plus a feature on GIs and brides. Further Newton Bromswold wills have been added.
- 08.04.2008 - The Transport section now carries a feature on Peck's Transport Ltd.
- 08.04.2008 - Sitemap added, to aid indexing by search engines.
- 07.04.2008 - Two further key additions: the War section now has the complete feature on Bernard (Bunny) Clark, with the final chapters added, and also a transcription of the entires in his wartime autograph book. The History section now carries an essay by Clive Wood done in 1999 in the industrial archaeology of Rushden. Other updates incluse the Higham Park section, which has two additions: an account of a threshing drum fire in 1925, and Bill Holt's memories of the TT Races; plus the Newton Bromswold pages now carry the list of Able-Bodied Men for 1638.
- 07.04.2008 - The People section has a major new addition: a transcription of the diaries (dating from the 1930s) written by Ada Sail (later Holloway) and illustrated by many pictures. Also linked to this are articles on her brother and former professional footballer George Sail and his Poppies team-mate Gordon Inwood. The Education section has an article on former Attendance Officer Arthur Mantle, and his obituary has also been added to the people section.
- 01.04.2008 - The Shoe Trade section now has a major new feature on the Boot & Shoe School.
- 31.03.2008 - The site now carries the first two of what will be a series of interactive "eBook" features. These are web pages which present albums in page-turnable format. Note that they run within a web page in Internet Explorer. Users of other browsers may find that they have to download the file and run it off their hard drive. This is an unavoidable feature of the software used to produce the eBooks. The Chelveston section has been updated with an eBook feature on the badges of personnel who served at the airbase there. There are also genealogical data additions such as a will, a 1915 valuation and the 1638 list of able-bodied men. A dozen more wills have been added to the main Genealogy section. The Churches feature has an eBook on Mission Church cricket teams 1912-1933. There are also features on the new Whitefriars parish and the programme of the 1966 BBC "Songs of Praise" programme broadcast from Park Road Baptist Church. The People section now has features on Joyce Bailey and on the memories of Mr & Mrs Prickett, and the Leisure section has a feature on the memories of footballer Richard Green.
- 28.03.2008 - The People section now carries a gallery of unidentified photographs. Any information on them would be very welcome. There is also a poem by William Abington on past trades of the town. The Obituaries section has been revised and updated. The Assistance page also has two new photographs which need identifying. The Park Road Baptist Church in the Churches section carries details of The Girls Life Brigade in the 1930s. The major feature on The Co-op in the Commerce section has three new articles, including the Roll of Honour.
- 12.03.2008 - The History section has the Absent Voters for 1925, plus more historical notes by J E Smith. There is also a feature gallery on Ebenezer Terrace. The Leisure section cariies features on the first cinama shows in Riushden, plus a Gallery of Rushden Mission Band. The Commerce section now carries the history of Wills' Department Store, plus a feature on Fairey Bros - ironmongers and agricultural engineers. The Shoe Trade features now include more memories, plus local shoedirm trademarks, the Tyzone Boot company, and the Co-op shoe factory fire brigade. The Higham Park section has the Absent Voters list for 1918 and the report of a law case over the killing of a deer in 1631. The Education section has a Charity Commissioners Report. The Newton Bromswold listings now carry the Absent Voters list for 1918, plus Methodists in the village in 1792/3
- 11.03.2008 - Update to Chelveston feature: new genealogical data such as Electoral Rolls and Absent Voters; new features on the school and the 305th Bomb Group. The People page now carries an article on historian John Cole, the "musical coalman" Thomas Britton, And Granny Green's Ice Cream Parlour. The Commerce section now carries a feature on Arthur George, the photographer. Eight more wills have been added in the Genealogy section.
- 02.03.2008 - Four additions to the History section. A major resource: by kind permission of Sue Manton (nee Keech), the Society is proud to reproduce a nine-page feature of her personal memories of "A Fifties Childhood". There is a feature on the sale of Rushden Hall in 1836. The Politics article has a link to a listing of Liberal supporters (1885-1910), and there is an artcle on Rushden town life in 1979.
- 21.02.2008 - Chelveston feature now carries listings for the Electoral Rolls of 1890. Leisure section has report of the opening of Hall Park bandstand in 1936. 12 new wills/inventories in the Rushden Wills section.
- 21.02.2008 - Baptisms and marriages for Higham Ferrers Methodist Circuit have now been aded to the Registers section of Genealogy
- 20.02.2008 - New section of the site - first features on the village of Yelden. Chelveston feature updated, with details of the airfield, the 350th Bomb Group anniversary, plus genealogical/commercial/historical details like badger licences and trade directories. Court Estate section updated with details of the sale of the estate. Major additions to the Higham Park section. Minor amendments and additions to the Newton Bromswold section. Shoe Trade section updated with more pictures of Miller's stain & polish. More Phillipson's Directories plus more wills transcribed for the Genealogy section. Update to the Churches section, with the story of the Rev Downe and the relationship between church & chapel in 1838.
- 13.02.2008 - A major addition to the site. Jenny Burt has kindly given permission for the reproduction of her thesis on the growth of the shoe trade and the relationship with the rise of non-conformity 1881-1901. This is the very essence of the "Hearts & Soles" theme of this project. The thesis is located in the Shoe Trade section, with links to it from the Churches and History sections. The History index page has also been revamped to aid navigation of the collected memories of life in the town.
- 12.02.2008 - The People section has a feature on Dick Rogers' life in boxing. The Shoe Trade section now carries a feature on the Sargents' partnership. Update to the Commerce section, with details of the origins of Rushden Sewer Authority 1870-72.
- 10.02.2008 - Major update to the Shoe Trade section: Making a Shoe - a complete illustrated guide, along with a glossary of shoe trade terms. Alan Harper's memories of life in the shoe trade have also been transcribed. The Commerce section carries two major updates: features on the generation and supply of Electricity in the town, and an article plus galleries on Vic Childs, photographer. The Crime section carries additional reports of fires (at Buckle's and Nurrish, Nurrish & Pallett's). The War section has features on various members of the Clark family, plus the WVS. The History section has more notes by J E Smith, plus a feature on a house damaged by drought. The People section has new features on Gladys Holt and Sid Smith
- 09.02.2008 - Genealogy section now carries details from the registers of the Congregational Church and the Methodist Circuit, plus a transcription of a 1931 local recipe book containing the names of many firms and individuals. The Leisure section has new entries dealing with St Mary's Cubs; the Holt family trials riders; Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society and Rushden Operatic Society. The are also numerous minor updates and corrections/amendments to existing pages across the site.
- 06.02.2008 - Introduction notes added to the Chelveston index page, plus updates including parish registers. Update to the section on the Court Estate, with a feature on WVS activities in the Second World War. The Newton Bromswold section now contains details from the Parish Registers.
- 25.01.2008 - Major update to the Shoe Trade section, with features on Alfred Sargent, Walter Sargent, Tecnics, W C Tarry and Sidney Fox. The Commerce section now carries an article on Horse & Rider riding supplies, plus added features about the Co-op. The History section now has a feature on politics and also memories of The Louvre. New entries in the People section. New wills transcribed in the Wills section.
- 24.01.2008 - Update to the Chelveston section, with details of the 50th anniversary of the 305th Bomb Group. Update to the War section, with two obituaries and a report of the Victory Tea in 1945. There are details of the Home Guard for the Court Estate and Newton Bromswold. The Moor Road School Log Book has been added to the Education section, along with School Board reports from 1889 and 1899, and the 1902 Education Act.
- 07.01.2008 - Update to the Education section, with an account of the South End Junior School in the middle of the last century. The Commerce section now has a feature on the launch of the Rushden Livestock Auctions in 1899. Ther have been a number of other minor detail amendments to various pages throughout the site.
- 07.01.2008 - New section to the site with a set of features on Chelveston. Major addition to the Commerce section, with a number of features plus a picture gallery on Rushden Co-op. Update to the Leisure section with reports and photos of the 1935 Jubilee and the 1937 and 1953 Coronation celebrations. New additions to the People section. Land section now has notes on field ownership from the Parish Registers of 1730-31. Details of Zion Church. Further updates to Health and History. More wills added.
- 19.12.2007 - The final update of the year introduces a whole new section - People & Families, which includes an index of published obituaries. The Genealogy section now contains details of Workhouse births and deaths, and there are minor amendments and additions to other site features. The site now also carries a Credits Page, listing all those who have given such generous time and assistance.
- 17.12.2007 - Eight more wills have now been transcribed for the Genealogy section. Update to the Commerce section, with features on Powell the photographer, Samuel Knight the undertaker, Fairey Bros, and a bankruptcy to a grocer in 1898. The Health section now features reports on the History of St John Ambulance, and also accounts of accidents. Update to the Crime & Emergencies section, with a report on the 1916 blizzard and a fire at a grocer's in 1898. The Shoe Trade section has a feature on Perkins & Eden, plus updates to the articles on Rushden Industry and Denton's. The Leisure section now has features on the 1898 Agricultural Show and a visit to the Feast in "Ruzdin Speak". The Transport section now carries a letter to the Midland Railway company in 1898, from the Clerk to Rushden Council. Modifications also to the Old Baptist 1840 Marriages, the 1901 Census Birthplace Statistics and The Phillipson's 1910 directory for Newton Bromswold
- 13.12.2007 - Update to the Genealogy section, with more transcribed Wills, Kelly's Directory listing for residential and commercial data for the years 1928, 1931, 1936, 1940, and the Phillipson's directory of people, streets and businesses for 1910. New features in the Churches section are on Park Road Baptist, The Mission Chapel, St Mark's Church and St Mary's bells. The Commerce section has been expanded to include features on Dubiliers, Chapman's, Express Cleaners, and the Queen Victoria Hotel. New features in Education are Doris Watts' memories of South End Infants in 1905, and Jack Tear's memories of the W.E.A. Paul Roberts' account of an aircraft crash have been added to the War section. The Shoe Trade section now carries Jim Matthews' memories of a lifetime's work in the trade. Another transcribed Will has been added to the Newton Bromswold listings.
- 04.12.2007 - Update to the Shoe Trade section, with feature on Cox & Wright, Mackness, and an addition to the Bull & Co feature from the 1916 Biographical section. More wills transcribed. Update to the War section, with a feature on Bernard Vann V.C. Update to the Churches section, with a poem from the Independent Wesleyan Church. Update to the Church Registers section, to include "strays" from Bedfordshire for both Rushden and Newton Bromswold.
- 28.11.2007 - Further update to the History section, with a number of "memories" articles, plus the 1695 Poll Book. More wills have also been transcribed.
- 26.11.2007 - New addition to the site, with a feature on the Court Estate. Major update to the History section, with the Electoral Roll of 1834, plus accounts of memories and people such as H E Bates. Update to the Commerce section, with features on Poole's shop and Doris Watts' memories of 1905. Update to the Leisure section, with features on Jow Eagle the angler and W Flood the musician. Update to the War section, with features on a First World war tank and two lots of awards and tributes. Update for the Transport section, with a feature on the tollgates. Also, numerous minor corrections and additions to individual pages, including a report of the 50th Anniversary of the Congregational Church.
- 21.11.2007 - Major update to the Shoe Trade section, with the transcription of a major study by Sally Cooper into the growth of the shoe trade. Additional updates to the Crime section and to the feature on Newton Bromswold
- 20.11.2007 - Major update to the Genealogy section, with the publication of over 200 pages of Church and Chapel Records, covering Baptisms, Marriages and somer Burials. Of special interest to genealogists and researchers will be the extensive listings of entries from non-conformist churches. The present update also includes four additions to the index of trade directories, and a listing of 17th century Rushden settlements for Higham Ferrers borough.
- 19.11.2007 - Major update to the Shoe Trade section, with an overview, a feature on John Cave & Sons 1935, and a detailed look at "Rushden and Its Industry" in 1900, which also puts into context the way the non-conformist churches grew alongside the shoe trade. Also - update to the Crime section with details of Books of Presentments, Petty Sessions, plus various reports of fires and other incidents. The Leisure section now has a report on Rushden Feast, the 2007 World Scout Jamboree, and the 1940s Weekend at the station.
- 14.11.2007 - Major update to the Churches section, with a full feature on St Mary's Church, including its history, windows, chapels, tombs, and listings of all inscriptions. There are also updates to the Shoe Trade section, with features on Grensons and Totectors, the Commerce section, with features on Harris Stores and Thomas Britton, the Leisure section, with reports on the Scout Jamboree 2007, and the Fire, Police & Crime section now has a report of a fatal accident in 1925
- 12.11.2007 - Kay Collins of Rushden Research was interviewed about the project on the Bernie Keith morning show on BBC Radio Northampton.
- 08.11.2007 - Updates to the History section, with memories of the 1920s & 30s, the great snow storm of 1916, plus other historical notes. New feature on memories of a school visit to the Fire Station in the 1950s. Other new items include memories of Highfield Baptist Church, the Shoe Manufacturers' Association Jubilee in 1958, and details of the Rushden Turnpike.
- 31.10.2007 - Further update to the Churches section, with details of the Old Baptist Church, plus a feature on the centenary of the Salvation Army
- 29.10.2007 - Major addition to the site with the opening of the Newton Bromswold section, plus further updates to the sections on Education, Health, History, Leisure, Transport, War, and the Shoe Trade
- 17.10.2007 - Major update to the Land, Property & Taxation section with a listing of the 1910 property valuations for Rushden, plus several listings of Historic taxations such as the Lay Subsidy, Hearth Tax, Window Tax and Land Tax.
- 17.10.2007 - Further update to the Churches section, with the story of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Park Road, and major additions to the Shoe Trade section: personal memories of working in the trade in the last century, plus the transcription of a book of biographical information on shoe and leather traders in 1916.
- 16.10.2007 - Major update, including new items in many sections: Churches, with features on the Congregational Church and RACY (Rushden Area Christian Youth); Genealogy, with the transcription of many Trades Directories and the entries from the London Gazette, also listings for licences/certificates granted for Badgers, Gamekeepers and Hairpowder; Health, with a feature on Adnitt Road Medical Centre; and also Education, with memories of Tennyson Road Nursery in the 1940s.
- 15.10.2007 - Major update to the Census data lists in the Genealogy section, with the addition of the 1841 Census, and the expansion of all Census years to include street and household listings.
- 10.10.2007 - New section - War - added to the site, containing listings of names on the Rushden war memorial, as well as other data connected with Rushden in wartime through the ages. In the interests of rationalising groups of related data, Militia Lists - previously found under Genealogy - have been transferred to the new section.
- 24.09.2007 - Major update to the site, with the inclusion of a large amount of new information in the Genealogy section: the 1901 Census, indexed by names, households and streets; plus the listings for burials, monument inscriptions, memorial walls and removed stones in the Newton Road cemetery.
- 04.09.2007 - Update to Shoe Trade section, with features on Jack Tear's memories and the Building of the Lime Street Factory, plus a new item in the Leisure section: the story of the 1934 Carnval Queen.
- 28.08.2007 - Update to the Leisure section, with a feature on the history of Rushden Mission Band
- 27.08.2007 - Rushden Census lists for 1901 now on-line. Name Index now available; Household and Street Indexes to follow.
- 26.08.2007 - Update to the Churches & Chapels section, with an overview of the development of churches in Rushden.
- 25.08.2007 - First features for the section on Higham Park, including a brief history, an electoral roll and census data.
- 24.08.2007 - Update to the feature on the Primitive Methodist Church, with transcriptions of the deed, the list of officers, and the Minute Book.
- 22.08.2007 - First features in the History section, with an acccount of Rushden from pre-history to the Domesday book and memories of 94 High Street South. Also on-line are the first features in the Education section, with memories of the last year of the old South End Infants, the start of the new school, and a feature on the Boot & Shoe school. There is an update to sections on the Churches and Health section.
- 17.08.2007 - First feature in the Crime section, with the story of Rushden Policeman John Firkins, also first features in the Leisure section, with articles on the Boxing Club, the BMX Track, and the Cork Club.
- 13.08.2007 - First features in the Land, Property & Taxation section, with the first two entries for streets in the 1910 Valuation listings, and an explanation of Gunter's Chain, used for land measurement.
- 08.08.2007 - Rushden Census lists for 1861 now on-line.
- 06.08.2007 - Rushden Census lists for 1871 and 1851 now on-line.
- 03.08.2007 - Rushden Census lists for 1891 and 1881 now on-line, together with an Introduction to Census Index data; other years to follow very shortly.
- 29.07.2007 - Further substantial update to the Genealogy section, with the transcriptions of a number of Rushden wills, and the indexing of those stored in Northants Record Office for the years 1469-1858.
- 29.07.2007 - Major update to the Genealogy section, with Militia Lists for 1762 and 1777 being added, plus 19th Century general Trade Directory listings for Rushden, and directories published by Kelly specific to the shoe & leather trade. Other additions to the Shoe Trade section include a biography of John White, memories of the shoe trade in the 1930s, and a feature on Norman Shortland.
- 08.07.2007 - The first of the features on Rushden's many churches and chapels has been launched, with Reginald Roberts' memories of the Primitive Methodists' chapel in Fitzwilliam Street.
- 03.07.2007 - Militia Lists for 1774 and 1781 have been added to the site.
- 29.06.2007 - First update of the site. See Topics for details. From now on, updates will be done as features are ready to launch. Details will be posted on this page whenever an update happens.
- 25.04.2007 - Website launched, with first general information pages.
- 23.04.2007 - The laptops to be used for the training and production of the website have been ordered.
- 16.04.2007 - First of the Workshop Sessions to familiarise and train volunteers in research and collation of information.
- 21.02.2007 - First meeting of the Project Steering Group, to set out the way the project will proceed, and to decide on the general order of the coverage of the topics.
- 16.02.2007 - Official Press Release with details of the project.
- 31.01.2007 - Official Notification by the Heritage Lottery Fund of the award of a "Your Heritage" grant of £49,500 to Rushden & District History Society for the project "The History of Rushden - Hearts and Soles".
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