NEW offices for Higham Ferrers and Rushden branch of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives fitted the importance of the organisation, said Mr. S. A. Robinson (general president) at the opening on Saturday. He hoped all members would appreciate that.

New Offices at the corner of Hayway and Higham Road built in 1957, demolished 2017 Courtesy of Mervyn Wood, 2006

Mr. Robinson, who was addressing his first union gathering since his recent election, told members they had proper surroundings where they could go to discuss their problems

The premises which have been erected at the junction of Hayway and Higham Road, Rushden, stand midway between the twin towns and replace outmoded offices reached by stairs.

They were opened by Mr. A. C. Allen, M.P. for the Bosworth Division of Leicestershire and former branch president, who sketched some of the history of the growth of the branch.

Surprise Visitor

He said that when a public meeting was called in 1887, a manufacturer, Mr. Fred Knight, walked in, to the consternation of the operatives. He stayed long enough to establish his right to attend what had been advertised as a public meeting.

Branch formation was followed by serious disputes in 1890 and 1892. One of the notices displayed after the introduction of the factory system banned swearing, shouting, sending out for intoxicating drink and throwing leather.

The great lock-out of 1895 followed a refusal to pay an awarded minimum wage and some manufacturers broke away from their association because they felt they could not pay it. There was much suffering until settlement.

Sermons were preached in churches and chapels. When it was over one manufacturer gave his men a sovereign and a hall sovereign to ease their lot.

Landlord's Plea

When the men converged on a public house the landlord misinterpreted their motive and urged them not to drink. But they told him they wanted a meeting—and they decided to buy the giver, Mr. E. Wrighton, a clock.

Meetings had been held in chapel premises and an outcome was a decision to have offices.

After a comment on the Raunds strike of 1905—which led to the establishment of prices for Army Footwear—Mr. Allen commented that he thought the unemployment of the inter-war years—which was aggravated by senseless competition between manufacturers—was a thing of the past. He welcomed the attendance of manufacturers and the good relations which had been built up.

Second To None

Mr. L. P. Poole (general secretary of the union) said there was once a biennial conference of the union at the old offices. That this would be impossible to-day was an indication of the progress made in the industry and the union. The union stood second to none in the manner in which it conducted its affairs and in the return and service it gave to members

Mr. P. E. Brown (president of Rushden Shoe Manufacturers' Association), Mr. R, W. Bazeley (branch vice-president) and Mr. R. W. Abbott (branch secretary) also spoke. Mr. W. G. T. Jones (branch president), who presided, welcomed visitors, who also included Mr. H. Clements, Wellingborough, Mr. J. R. Gordon. Northampton, Mr. J. Harvey, London, Mr. A. V. Pettitt, Stafford (executive council members). Alderman J. E. Jeffs (former vice-president), Mr. J. Marshall Bailey (Rushden Arbitration Board chairman), Mr. J. S. Kirk (Rushden Manufacturers' Association secretary) and Mr. Harold Miles (chairman of Raunds Arbitration Board).