A hearthrug designed to the pattern of an old rustic bridge by a mill, is a focal point of interest in the living room of 3 High Street South, Rushden. It also serves to illustrate another pattern in the daily household itinerary—that of the personal rehabilitation scheme of 42-year-old Arthur Sargent.
Invalided from the Royal Navy after nearly three years’ service in the last war, he found himself in a convalescent home at Oxford for five months with a little gentle persuasion towards occupational therapy in the form of rug-making. He had a try and even he had to admit the first attempts were not too bad.
Restored to his home but not to his active previous pursuits of motor cycling or as trainer to Rushden Thursday F.C. and instructor to the 2nd Rushden Baptist Boys’ Brigade, he gave rug-making really serious thought.
Twelve months ago he took it up as a means of livelihood. And his skill has become such that in a recent rug-making competition organised by a national newspaper he was in the first 50 of 2,633 entries. His entry was of semi-oval shape worked in green, beige, and pink.
Such a rug takes him some two weeks to make and the selling price is approximately £5. A square pattern, 54 inches by 27 inches would take thee weeks and sell for £6. In addition he extends the offer to execute orders in any design shape or size.
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