On such an occasion as this one inevitably looks back into the past, and in so doing members of the Rushden and District Shoe Manufacturers' Association may take pride in the progress that has been made in this area.

With executives who are always keenly alive to new methods of manufacture and the possibility of new markets, the district will maintain its lead in the field of shoe exports.

Great changes in our mode of life have taken place during the past fifty years, and even greater changes are foreshadowed by the leading scientists of the country during the next decade. Continued, and even greater thought and effort will be required to ensure prosperity to our industry.

Mr P T Clothier, President,  Footwear  Manufacturers’ Federation

Every member of the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers' Federation will join in friendly congratulations to the Rushden and District Association on its Golden Jubilee.

With its 77 member firms and its 11,000 operatives, Rushden is one of the largest local associations, and it has always maintained a closely-knit and sturdy organisa­tion that has served it well in good times and hard.

The Association has also played an outstanding part in the Federation. We owe a debt of gratitude, not only for the four past presidents who came from Rushden and for the present chairman of our Labour and Industrial Committee, but also for the loyal support and valuable advice that over the years has been given by so many others.

Mr S A Robinson, General President, Operatives Union

Mr. H. Leslie Mitchell, President, National Shoe Retailers' Council.

As president of the National Shoe Retailers' Council, I should like to send the sincere congratulations of the Council to the Rushden Manufacturers' Association on its 50th anniversary.

The independent shoe manufacturers of Rushden and district have always been ready and willing to co-operate with the independent shoe retailers, several firms having made a special study of their requirements. We trust that this co-operation will continue and maybe increase.

Mr. H. G. Lewis, President, Northampton Footwear Manufacturers' Association.

I am very pleased to send greetings from the Northampton Footwear Manufacturers' Association to our friends in Rushden and District, and congratulate them most heartily on the occasion of the celebration of the golden jubilee of their Association.

We are pleased to have this opportunity of paying our tribute to our Rushden friends on the fine record of achievement in shoemaking which has made them famous throughout our land and in the very important export markets throughout the world.

We honour the names of many famous men of the shoe trade, who have been influential members of the Rushden Association and of the National Federation, and who have given such splendid service to our trade.

As friends and neighbours, we congratulate the Rushden and District Association on the ability and enterprise of all members who have made possible such great progress in the past fifty years, and we wish for them every success in the years to come.

Mr. W. J. Jobson, President, Leicestershire County Boot Manufacturers' Federation.

I am very happy to have this opportunity of sending to the Rushden and District Association on this notable occasion of its 50th birthday, the very sincere congratula­tions of the Leicester County Manufacturers' Federation and our good wishes for its members' future prosperity.

The members of the Rushden Association can indeed look back with a great deal of pride and a justified sense of achievement at the progress made by the shoe industry in their part of Northamptonshire during the past 50 years.

Mr. H. Miles, Raunds and District Boot Manufacturers' Association.

Hearty greetings from Raunds to the Rushden and District Association on the occasion of its golden jubilee.

Rushden and District manufacturers have made a note­worthy contribution to the boot and shoe industry, and have established a world-wide reputation as makers of men's shoes.

Their pride of achievement in attaining their 50th birthday can be likened to that of a cricketer who, on reaching his half-century, lifts his bat in acknowledgment of the plaudits of the crowd, adjusts his cap and settles down to the difficult task of attaining his century.

Mr. P. A. Wright, President, Kettering and District Boot Manufacturers' Association.

As president of the Kettering and District Boot and Shoe Manufacturers' Association, I should like to tender my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the president and members of the Rushden and District Association on the celebration of their 50th anniversary.

It is always imperative for a good relationship to exist between all local associations for the good of the whole industry. It is always a pleasure to work with the Rushden and District Association, which has, through its members, continually made great contributions, both in time and energy, towards maintaining the good relations which have for so many years existed between the employees and employers in our trade.

Mr. S. W. Davis, President, Leicester Boot Manufacturers' Association.

It is indeed a great pleasure for me, as president of the Leicester Boot Manufacturers' Association, to send heartiest congratulations to the Rushden and District Association on the occasion of their Golden Jubilee.

We in Leicester know that, largely due to great foresight on the part of your outstanding leaders - and there have been many household names since 1908 - your products and association have stood the test of time. We know, too, how high you value the technical skill of your area and that out of your vast production range many feet owe their security to the quality of your safety wear.

More Goodwill Messages.

Mr. F. I. Groocock, President, Desborough and Rothwell Boot Manufacturers' Association.

The justification of a trade association can be measured by the contribution it makes to the welfare of its individual members, and to that of the trade at large. Judged by these standards, the Rushden and District Manufacturers' Association can be said fully to justify its Jubilee. The phenomenal growth of the Association is the measure of the value of its productions to the consumer public.

My heartiest Congratulations to the Association in the celebration of its Jubilee.

Mr. W. G. T. Jones, President, Rushden Branch Operatives’ Union

I am very glad to have the opportunity of congratulating the Rushden and District Shoe Manufacturers' Association on reaching its Golden Jubilee. The Shoe Trade in the Rushden area perhaps more than in the other great centres of Shoe manufacturing, has been noteworthy for its tradition of family businesses, many of which are of long standing. Such undertakings have established high reputations for their productions over the years, and have built up wide connections throughout this country and overseas.

Time brings many changes; newer circumstances mould our conditions but whatever the change or circumstances may be, it is as true today as it was in the days of our forefathers that we can only win through to a better future by the conscious effort of both sides of Industry.

Elder Statesmen Look Back

A prominent "elder statesman" among the shoe manufacturers, who does not seek the limelight, recalls that 50 years ago Rushden was particularly interested in the export trade. A large proportion of the output went to India and Africa. A much commoner type of footwear was made in those days. In the type mostly produced the average labour content was 1s. 2d. a pair. Clickers, for instance, received 28s. to 30s. for a 54-hour week. The export trade was largely lost before the war but has been recovered and extended, now embracing many markets. Some Rushden companies have been doing business in the American market for 35 years. Our "statesman" recalled that good quality box calf in the 1930's cost 7½d. a foot. To-day medium box is 50d.

A well-known shoe operative resident in Rushden is Mr. E. A. Sugars, now in his 77th year.
The eldest of a family of 8 he started work on his tenth birthday under the old: "part-time" system. He received 1s. 6d. a week for eyeletting. At that time only clicking and sole cutting took place inside the factory. The closers, makers and finishers worked at home. Mr. Sugars started finishing on his own at home at the age of 16.

The following names appear in the minute book as the record of concerns represented at that first meeting:

C. W. Horrell, Sanders and Sanders, Groome and Sons, Thomas Patenall, Wright and Co., Knight and Brightwell, Selwood and Co., Green and Sons, Jacques and Clark, Skeeles and Co., W. Shortland and Sons, Cunnington Bros., B. Ladds, Knight and Lawrence, Sargent and Co., Thos. Lilley, J. Shortland, Co-operative Society, Hyde and Co., Denton and Son, Darlow West, Crick and Patenall, Robinson Bros., Allen, Clayton, Sargent and Sons, J. W. Spencer and Co., Ellard, Horn and Partridge.

The Association's rules were adopted in June 1909. It is interesting to note that rule 47, adopted at that meeting, read:

"Each member of the Association shall enter into a Bond to the Secretary of the Arbitration Board in the penal sum of £100 for the due performance and faithful observance- of the Rules of the Board of Arbitration and of every award and decision of such Board."

The Association was particularly active during the First World War. In fact, soon after the war had started a deputation was appointed to visit Paris for the purpose of interviewing the French War Office in an endeavour to obtain orders for boots for their army.

A peep into the Association's minute book reveals the scale of wages for shoe workers in the area in 1915.

For juveniles: boys aged 13 were earning 6s. a week and at 18 the wage rose to 18s. Thirteen year old girls started work at 4s. a week and by the time they were 18 they were earning 14s. These were the maximum rates.

It was in that year that a new board for arbitration purposes was formed for the County of Northampton.

In office as president this year is Mr. F. E. Brown, with Mr. H. F. Pinnock president-elect, and Mr. H. H. Measom vice-president-elect.

No fewer than four members of the Association have been honoured by being elected as presidents of the National Footwear Manufacturers' Federation. They are: the late Mr. Owen Parker, J.P. (national president 1913-20), the late Mr. C. W. Horrell, J.P. (1925-28), Mr. G. H. Denton (1949-50), and Mr. G. W. Marriott (1953-54).

One of the past presidents, Mr. Marriott, who was also president of the Association 1949-50, tells of some of the changes that have taken place during the past 30 years. He writes:

"To reflect on the past 30 years and try to analyse the reasons for the prominent position Rushden holds and the many changes that have taken place is no easy task.

"At one time manufacturers in the town were nearly 80 in number, but today with 24 - including two of the largest groups in the country - the quantity of foot­wear produced is at its highest level.

"Perhaps before we claim the success for the manufacturers, particularly during the depression of the 1930s, we should acknowledge that one basic essential has always been the skill of the operatives aided by the very fine technical schools in the town.

"The operatives willingly co-operated when they were urged to accept piece-work by the president of the Rushden branch of the Union, Mr. A. C. Allen, M.P. His successors, Mr. R. W. Abbott, J.P., and-Mr. W. G. T. Jones, have pursued the same policy, which has enabled the district to become and remain highly competitive.

"All this has been achieved through the local Arbitration Board. The present Board deals with a labour force of 11,000, the second largest in the country.

"The standard of the factories, machinery and equipment equals and in many cases is higher than that in other parts of this country and in America, and enables the production of a very wide variety of men's highly styled shoes with quite a proportion of ladies' walking shoes.

"Many changes in ownership, many changes in style and methods of manufacture, have taken place over 30 years. Rushden has been quick to make the changes and to grasp the opportunities."

Past Presidents.                        

We like living in Rushden - Oral Shoes

 Here in the heart of the shoe-making industry we feel very much at home. Since the turn of the century our much modernised factory in Fitzwilliam Street has been keeping abreast with - and even ahead of - the latest developments in all aspects of the manufacture of good class shoes. From it we send to many parts of the world, shoes that maintain the highest traditions of shoe making for which Rushden is so famous.

Shoe-making is the only major industry in Rushden and shoe-makers of all grades have taken a very active part in civic affairs over the years.

In 1891 the population was 7,442. Today it is 16,600. Growth on that scale has called for an energetic and progressive local authority. Scores of well-known shoe-men have served on the Council.

To mention but two, Mr. F. E. Brown, President, Rushden and District Shoe Manufacturers' Association, is a council member and former Chairman. Mr. E. A. Sugars, a retired operative, is the oldest member, having served 24 years. He has twice been chairman.

Higham Ferrers was an ancient borough with mayor and corporation when Rushden was a village. Now that position is reversed as regards size and there is some talk of amalgamation.

The number of houses owned by the Council is 16,000, approximately one-third of the town.

In addition to 60 acres of parks and recreation grounds, they provide playgrounds for small children, fully equipped, on all eight of the housing estates.

Youth Looks to the Future

Mr. Will Knight, director, Knight and Lawrence Ltd., and president, Northamptonshire Shoemakers' Society, was asked about the future of the shoe trade in Rushden from a young executive's point of view. Mr. Knight felt the main objective was to think and work ahead as far as possible, particularly in experimental work. He was confident the various small firms in the area would be able to maintain their individuality.

A general tendency was for the area to incline towards cemented work which they had not set out to do extensively in the past. Nevertheless, he did not think that either moulded or cemented work would banish welted production.

Rushden’s Vigorous Developmemt

In actual fact, the picture thus conjured up would be misleading.

It is true that Northamptonshire's fame for shoe-making springs from natural advantages which existed for centuries. It is true that the Nene Valley, which parts of Rushden overlook, was well stocked with cattle, and that hides were tanned in the district in mediaeval times. Un­doubtedly "cobbling" would tend to prosper as a rural craft.

Early in the 19th century, however, Rushden had only 800 inhabitants, and there is nothing on record to show that an industry of any consequence existed locally before the middle of that century. lt is all the more striking, therefore, to observe how an organised industry, once planted, has raced to its present proportions.

By 1840 the trade, hand in hand with currying, was definitely established in the town. Within a few years Rushden boasted three or four manufacturing firms, and by 1880, with men pouring in from Northampton and 'many a village, some to teach and others to take up the-craft, Rushden was a vigorous town - Northamptonshire's fifth in order of population.

Except for clicking and a few other operations the work was given out for making and finishing in small back yard "shops," but by the turn of the century the factories, now greatly multiplied, were complete manufacturing units.

By 1914, there was a factory in almost every street.

Between the two world wars the tendency was toward fewer but larger firms. Out went the gas engines, shafting and belting; in came the motors and social amenities. Interlocked industrially, Rushden and neighbouring Higham Ferrers had so committed themselves to shoes, leather and components that secondary industries hardly counted. In the war of 1939-45 they were famous for production feats. Since 1945, with canteens, committees, training centres and village branches, to say nothing of new plant, layouts and methods, they have solved labour problems and proceeded confidently to new triumphs of output and overseas market­ing, especially in the realm of men's footwear.

Notable amalgamations also have played their part in efficiency.

Quite recently Rushden, with Higham, had a labour force of 6,500 in the shoe industry and produced nearly eight million pairs of footwear (excluding slippers) in a year. Twenty-nine firms were operating nearly forty factories, and the average output per operative was about 25 pairs a week.

Production & Export

Latest statistics in the Footwear Manufacturers' Federation Journal of sales of leather footwear by federated firms (including Government orders) show that Rushden and District Association is one of the two largest producing areas in the Federation, with sales of 13,257,000 pairs in 1957. It is second only to Leicester County (17,383,000 pairs). Of the Rushden total, exports accounted for 1,481,000 pairs, or 11.2 per cent. The proportion of Rushden-made footwear with leather soles is 68 per cent. In other associations the lowest proportion is 28 per cent, and the highest 89 per cent, the average being 53 per cent.