If Rushden has one man of whom it can be said that he is without an enemy, that man is Mr Abraham Gadsby, who for 23 years has been a Guardian of the Poor for the parish of Rushden, and who is now, at the age of 84 years, retiring from that work. While the negative compliment is a very high one, a still higher one can in truth be paid to Mr Gadsby—the positive compliment that he is a man beloved by all who know him.

Mr Gadsby’s influence and service as a member of the Wellingborough Board of Guardians for nearly a quarter-of-a-century have been unique. No other person has been able to do quite the work he has done. He has carried a cheery optimism, a really remarkable note of sympathy, and a helpful and comforting religious message to the inmates of the “House,” all of whom have looked forward to his coming and, as their brightening countenances have shown, have appreciated his handshake and his word of encouragement. While other members of the Board have done useful and necessary work in connection with financial and administrative matters, Abraham Gadsby’s services have been mainly of the intimate personal character. He has got into close relationship with the inmates of the institution, and they have learned to regard him as a personal friend.

A recent illness—from which, we are glad to say, he has made a splendid recovery—led Mr Gadsby to the conclusion that he could no longer serve on the Board of Guardians, but we are glad to say that by a happy arrangement he will be allowed to continue to serve the inmates by visiting them as often as he can get over to Wellingborough. Mr Gadsby has done excellent work on the Cottage Homes Committee, the Religious Services Committee, and the Committee of management. Apart from his personal contact with the inmates, Mr Gadsby has been indefatigable in his work on the religious Services Committee, and he has taken a good deal of responsibility in arranging for religious ministrations at the institution. His colleagues on the Board regret his official severance from the work but appreciate the fact that he will continue as a visitor to the institution whenever possible.

One of the founders of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Park-road, Rushden, Mr Gadsby has been a chapel steward for many years and is one of the trustees. For a long period he was the superintendent of the Sunday school, and he has served his Church worthily in various capacities. In politics Mr Gadsby is a Liberal, and the Rushden Liberal Association have been proud of him as one of their nominees for the Board of Guardians.