New activities and good progress in spite of war-time obstacles were referred to on Saturday evening at the annual prizegiving ceremony of the Rushden Boot and Shoe School.

Ald C W Horrell J P presided, supported by Mr John White, president of the Rushden and District Boot Manufacturers’ Association, Miss J White (deputising for her mother, who was unable to attend), Mr F J Sharwood C C, and Mrs Sharwood, and Mr T W Cox.

Ald Horrell, in his opening speech, said that the boot manufacturers were “rather puzzled” as well as regretful that there were very few young people coming forward for the boot industry. They did not know the reason but it was very disappointing.

Mr F P Wootton, county superintendent for boot and shoe instruction, in his annual report, said that the Forces and Civil Defence, also the establishment of pre-training units, had reduced enrolments for boot and shoe instruction. Despite that, however, the main classes had been well supported, and, with 66 on the register and an attendance of 76%, he thought it had been quite satisfactory.

Factory Visits

The students of the Junior Technical School completed an excellent year’s work, and, to widen their factory experience, a group of second year boys had paid a series of factory visits, making a detailed study of work in each department. That special arrangement was made possible through the courtesy of Mr W E Capon, who awarded Savings Certificates for the best essays on the visits.

During the session there had been a new venture – a class for making soft leather articles, and the results so far had been very promising. Additional classes were being planned for members of the Rushden G T C.

The shoe industry had a double function in that footwear was a basic need of the population but, as an article of “clothing” it was affected by fashion. No amount of planning would replace training in the principles of shoe-making. He could not forecast the effect on the industry of the new Education Act, but it was certain that the facilities offered by that school would be very fully used in the future.

The Prizes

Miss White handed certificates and other awards to students as follows:-

Advanced Stage: County Council prize for machine welting, jack Burgess.

Intermediate Stage: County Council first prize, homework prize, equal prize, machine lasting, equal prize, second year applied science, Sidney E Mackness; County Council equal prize, second year applied science, James E Elsigood.

Special Awards: Junior Technical School, special award of £1 offered by Mr C W Horrell for the best student of the two-year junior course, 1941-43, Russell A Briggs; leather Science Class, special award of £2 offered by Mr J Spencer of Victoria Leather Co, to the best student of the session (divided), Frank Norris and Albert O Saunders; Special Proficiency Prize for evening class students offered by Mr W E Capon, Messrs J Cave and Sons, Sidney E Mackness.

An address (reported on page 1) was given by Mr White.

Offering thanks to Mr and Miss White, Mr Sharwood said the young people in that school were to be congratulated on the splendid opportunity that lay in front of them. When he came as a boy to the town there was no such thing as a technical school there, but now they had a fine one.

Mr Cox seconded the proposal and included the chairman. Miss White and her father suitably responded.