Mr. Green gave evidence of his marvellous memory and read from an article he had written about thirty years ago, telling of a walk through what are now some of Rushden’s principal streets but were then lanes – very often over grown with weeds and briars.

He described how he had set out from “The Tan Yard,” where Messrs. Seamarks’ garage now stands, up a steep hill where the road was overgrown and one was likely to see stoats and rabbits, into some allotments which were known as Crabb’s. From there he went through the Making Close, through “Wheatsheaf Garden” to the toll gate near the Vestry Hall, and along Rectory-road past the little Wesleyan church which stood at the top of George-street.

Path to Higham

“There was no Queen-street, no Victoria-road, no railway – just a pathway which led to Higham,” he said. He mentioned a beautiful field, now North-street, where the boys practised running and which sloped steeply down to Higham-road.

Mr. Green then told the true story of a local “character,” Dossie Brown, a pedlar, who lived in a hovel in Duck-street. He described how Dossie, with sheepskin over his shoulders and sacks on his feet, had walked out of the “Wagon and Horses” one Christmas Eve, befriended an old woman who lived in Little-street, and was found dead the next morning.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Rotarian F. J. Sharwood, C.C., who also recalled life in old Rushden.

Four water colour paintings by Mr. Green – scenes from the days of his youth – were auctioned for the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund and raised £5 15s.

The luncheon was at the Waverley Hotel, Rotarian J. J. Page (president) being in the chair.

Note: Walter was living in Griffith Street in 1901, born 1865, son of Wm Green founder of Grenson's