Messrs. J. White's Annual Dance - Six Hundred Guests at Windmill Hall - A Brilliant Assembly
The annual dance sponsored by Messrs. John White (Impregnable Boots) Ltd., Rushden, was held at the Windmill Hall on Friday last, and was attended by about six hundred guests. The progressive policy which always marked the firm was emphasised at last year’s function when Mr White invited to the gathering representatives of firms associated with the buying and selling sides of his business who met for a social evening.

The same principle was followed on this occasion, with the result that the guests included many representatives of the boot and shoe trade, local manufacturers as well as those from further afield. Those firms who have been associated with Messrs John White in the way of special service, etc., were also represented, so that every one of the guests had an interest in the firm who were the hosts on this notable occasion.

The gathering was larger than that of a year ago, but as on that occasion, the employees of the firm ably carried out practically the whole of the arrangements.

The hall was brilliantly decorated. Above the dancers was a mass of gaily coloured streamers, flowing out from central points, while the walls also had tasteful decorations.

In between the streamers across the hall there hung chains of fairy lights in the pleasing glow of which the majority of the dances took place.

On the stage Mr Frank Coles, Mr White’s head gardener, had arranged a beautiful mass of plants to give a most pleasing display.

Around the walls were placed sitting out tables to accommodate the guests and at these supper was served during the evening.

Music was supplied for nearly six hours by Jack Finch’s band, from Bedford, who had numbers in their repertoire to please all tastes. Old and modern dances found equal favour.

Mr White carried out the onerous duties of chairman of the committee which made the excellent arrangements, Mr L C H Louis, being secretary, and Mr L W Bradshaw treasurer. Members of the staff attended to many matters of detail. A large staff under the direction of Mr R Rice was responsible for the catering, and M.C.s were Messrs H Rice and Millard.

Mr Hill, caretaker of the Co-operative Hall, was responsible for the general decorations, and Mr J H Oberman, of Higham Ferrers, installed the fairy lights.

Mr John White, who was accompanied by Mrs White and Miss Florence White, brought a large party of personal friends, and his guests included other boot manufacturers from the town and district, including Mr F B Jowett and Mr Jack Jowett (the Carrington Shoe Co., Kettering), Mr E Jones (Walker Boot Co., Northampton), Mr Arthur Allebone C.C., Mr Cecil Austin, of Wollaston, Mr Ralph Tarry, Mr C W S Green, Mr Frank Skeeles and Mr Hubert Horne, of Irthlingborough.

The Guests
Other parties were headed by Mr W J Thompson (auditor), Mr F L Heygate and Mr Whitton (National Provincial Bank), Mr A B Conyers (Raunds), Mr John Harris (Messrs Harris Bros.), Mr Jos. Harris (Lindren and Co.), Mr R R Brown, Mr H T Mackness, Mr H Mackness, Mr Ward, Mr G H Bull (Stevens and Co), Mr S C Brightwell (secretary of the Rushden and District Boot Manufacturers’ Association), Mr Hubert Ingle, Mr F Roe (Odell leather Co.), Mr R Clough (Messrs William Paul, of Leeds), Mr Brittain (Leicester), Mr Wallington (British American Last Co.), Mr L Athbury (Messrs Briggs Ltd., Leicester), Mr Thompson (Messrs Smith and Thompson, Leicester), Mr S Clark (Singer Machine Co.), Mr A E Hurst (British United Shoe machinery Co.), Miss Phyllis Robinson, Mr Cobley (Messrs York, Ward and Rowlatt, Wellingborough), Mr Arthur Sanders, Mr C H Miller, Mr R D Knight (the firm’s Midlands representative), and Mr Jim Knight.

Messrs Timpson’s Sports Club, of Kettering, the Stonehurst Tennis Club and the staff of Ideal Clothiers, Wellingborough, were also represented.

Among the ladies present was the Mayoress of Northampton, Mrs Stone.

The winners of the dance competition were: Spot fox trot, Miss N Loakes and Miss L S Sinfield; spot veleta, Mr Thompson and Miss M Maddock (Irthlingborough); spot waltz, Mr R Wood and Miss E Smith.

Rushden boot firm's carnival party
Giant lotus petals around lights dimmed by peach satin, looked down on a gay scene at Rushden Windmill Hall last Friday when Messrs. John White (Footwear) Ltd. gave a carnival party for their office staff and friends.

Mr. and Mrs. White, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Wilson and Mr. P. A. G. Wilson were at the directors' table with personal friends. The whole company numbered 340.

Tables decorated with flowers were stacked with refreshments and carnival novelties. From the first number floor was crowded, as Johnny Ballantyne's Band played for dancing and in two interludes of entertainment from the stage, the singing Beverley Sisters, just back from an American tour and Lester Ferguson, the American tenor who starred in "Carissima" performed with great success. In a short speech, Mr. White referred to the recent increase in staff and announced that plans were afoot for expanding the social side of the company's activities.

Twice during the evening Mr. White received musical honours and cheers. He was thanked on behalf of the guests by Mr. Walter Walker. Mrs. White distributed prizes and Mr. John Roddis was M.C.