Rushden’s domestic air raid shelters scheme, the Urban Council learned on Wednesday, has not yet become popular. The applications for free shelter accommodation have not been numerous, and Mr. Roe suggested the reason when he said he had been unable to explain the scheme to anybody who enquired.

The council decided on a free distribution of sand for fire-fighting, and householders, but not business firms, may have free sandbags also.

Home Office approval was received for the utilisation of the basements at the Co-operative Society’s premises in High-street and at “Stonehurst.” Of other properties previously suggested, only the “Evening Telegraph” basement was considered suitable, and plans for adapting this have been submitted for approval. In view of their comprehensive surface shelter plans, the War Emergency Committee will not arrange further basement shelters for the present.

A poor response to the offer of domestic shelters was announced. Mr. Surridge, a Kettering architect, has been engaged to survey premises in respect of which applications for shelters have been received.

The communal shelters, it was stated, would be built on verges wherever possible and would be used solely by nearby residents, who would be supplied with admission tickets.

The Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) reported that the public shelters already in use had been inspected by the Regional Technical Adviser’s representative, who spoke very highly of their condition. It was expected that the lighting systems in the shelters would be connected with the public supply.

The War Committee is considering the provision of 28 additional surface shelters – sufficient for about 12 per cent. of the population – and as a first instalment the Surveyor has been instructed to prepare plans for 12.

Speaking of the shelters, Councillor Capon said that everything possible had been done so far as the work at their own office was concerned. They were in almost daily touch with the Ministry, and as soon as they heard from them they would go further ahead.

They had a large number of bunks ready for use should the occasion arise – though they hoped it would not.

In view of the urgent need to protect properties from fire it was agreed that sand be provided free of charge to all persons desiring it for that purpose.

Councillor Capon said the sand was being distributed all over the town, and bags were being provided free of cost to householders. The businesses of the town could have bags at practically half cost – threepence each.

Councillor Roe asked if those who had had the unfortunate experience of paying for sand were likely to get a rebate. Some months ago it was urged that street fire parties should be formed, and the Council then turned down the free sand arrangement. In Victoria-road the residents paid 17s. or 18s. to provide a bucket of sand for each house.

Commenting on the disappointing response to the domestic shelter scheme, Mr. Roe said he did not suppose they expected any other result. Several residents asked him what the Council was going to do, but he could not inform them, and he did not expect anybody else could.

All he could find out was that they would probably build a blast wall in front of the window or strengthen the house inside.

“That was all I could tell the people,” said Mr. Roe, “and I shouldn’t like to tell you what they said. One man said “What is going to happen if high explosive drops on the house?” and I said “Well, you won’t be able to blame the Council.”

Further discussion of the sand question ended when Councillor Capon interposed. “Mr. Chairman,” he said significantly, “I think we shall be surprised next week at the public spirit manifested in the town.”

Councillor Sugars referred to the long spells of voluntary night duty by the A.R.P. Wardens and others at the Report Centre. Many of them, he said, were due at work at 7.30 in the morning, and a man who had been on duty 12½ hours expected a square meal before going to work. This meant that he had to sacrifice an hour’s work and pay, and the question arose as to whether these men could be remunerated. It was not fair for them to do their duty and lose by it.

Councillor Capon: There is a scheme on foot by which those who lose time, particularly during an Alert, would be remunerated, but the scheme mentioned by Mr. Sugars has not been discussed as far as I know, and I am not sure that it comes within our province.

Councillor Bailey said the Council employees were now helping at the Report Centre, with the result that the Wardens did not go on duty until 10 o’clock.

The Chairman said the question raised would be considered by the committee.

A new air raid siren of 4 h.p. has been recommended for the southern ward of the town, and the suggested site is the Tecnic Boot Co.’s factory in Park-road.

At the Chairman’s invitation the members agreed to take part in the War Weapons Week parade on Saturday.

Dr. Davis said the route chosen was rather a long distance for ladies who would be wearing tin hats.

“That has been altered,” replied Councillor Allebone. “They are not wearing their tin hats now.”

Mrs. Muxlow said she was definitely of opinion that it was too far – especially for those who lived some distance from the starting point.

Councillor Weale replied that everything had been gone into by the Parade Committee. The difficulty was that the procession would be about three-quarters of a mile long, which meant that when the head was going down Skinner’s Hill the tail would still be in the park.

Councillor Capon: I think enthusiasm will carry us through.

Councillor Cox said he was satisfied. He believed the Council would set an example to the town by appearing at the head of the procession and going the whole way.

Mrs. Muxlow: Oh, we shall go the whole way.

The Chairman mentioned that the Higham Ferrers Town Council would also take part.

Councillor Waring said he saw no reference to the matter to which he drew attention at the last meeting – the need of a satisfactory arrangement whereby there was contact between the Council office and the cemetery.

Councillor Capon: It was discussed by the Finance Committee, and arrangements have been made which, I am sure, will prevent anything happening such as happened a month or two ago. There will always be someone here, as there was a month or two ago, to deal with any enquiries which are made.

Councillor Waring: There was not on that occasion; I am sorry to contradict.

The Housing Manager (Mr. H. C. Allen) reported that in 1940 71 applications were received for houses, compared with 64 in the previous year. Accommodation was found for 10 of the applicants in Council houses and for a few in private lettings. There were now 150 outstanding applications.

It was reported that allotment plots had been supplied to three further applicants and that the Council will take possession of 116 poles of the unoccupied land on the west side of St. Mary’s-avenue.

Plans of a cowshed in Hayway, for Mr. John White, were approved.

The Council authorised the purchase of another high-power second-hand car for hauling trailer pumps.

The Librarian (Miss M. Perkins) reported that in the October-December quarter 26,595 books were issued – an increase of 5,639 over the corresponding period of 1939. The issues were :- Adult fiction 15,994, adult non-fiction 3,971, juvenile fiction 5,039, juvenile non-fiction 1,591. The membership. including evacuees, was now 4,363 – an increase of 557 since October.

A report from the Cemetery Registrar showed that there were 111 interments during the second half of 1939.

On the understanding that it has been recommended by the Local Authorities’ Provincial Council, a cost-of-living bonus increase from 3s. to 5s. per week was granted to the Council’s workmen and will be paid when official notice is received from the Provincial Council. The junior clerks’ application for a bonus increase will be considered at the next meeting of the Finance Committee.

Councillor Richardson was reappointed as the Council’s representative on the After-Care Committee.

It was stated that the Council’s order for a telephone at the Cemetery Lodge – the subject of complaint last month – was now receiving attention.

Instructions were given for the investment of £1,250 – part of a housing fund balance – in Government 3 per cent. Savings Bonds. – “The Council are setting a good lead for next week,” observed Councillor Capon, who is chairman of the War Weapons Week Publicity Committee.

Members in attendance were Councillors J. Allen, J.P. (chairman), T. W. Cox (vice-chairman), A. H. Bailey, J. Roe, A. Allebone, J.P,, C.C., F. Green, Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, W. E. Capon, A. F. Weale, J. George, T. J. Swindall, J. Spencer, J.P., J. H. J. Paragreen, H. Waring, W. J. Sawford, E. A. Sugars, J. T. Richardson and Dr. R. W. Davies.

Apologies were received from the Clerk (Mr. W. L. Beetenson) and Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd), who are indisposed.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 21st February, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis

An uneven distribution of food supplies was alleged at the annual meeting of the Rushden and District Trades Council, held at the Trade Union Hall, Rushden, on Tuesday evening. It was thought that the Ministry of Food should be controlling the position more effectively.

Evacuees from other districts, it was stated, could get quite a lot of the scarcer luxuries when they returned home; there were plenty of eggs in Glasgow, and sweets were obtainable in the districts from which evacuees had been sent. The rationing of cheese to workers in the heavy manual trades was also discussed.

It was agreed to approach the Food Ministry and send a copy of the complaint to the Wellingborough and District Food Control Committee.

Lack of overalls for the first-aid parties was complained of by Mr. Wheeler (M. and G.W.), who said that members of these parties had had clothes ruined while on duty. It was decided to approach the County Surveyor on this point.

Mr. Wheeler also suggested a campaign to make the district “gas mask conscious,” and the secretary (Mr. H. Bailey) said he would ask the Press and A.R.P. authorities to co-operate.

The second annual balance sheet showed a balance-in-hand of nearly £24, the affiliation fees having risen from £38 14s. in 1939 to £45 10s. last year, and the affiliated membership from 4,645 to 5,464.

Officers were elected as follows :- President, Ald. A. C. Allen; chairman, Mr. Reg Welsford (A.S.W.); vice-chairman, Mr. C. Freeman, Irthlingborough (N.U.D.A.W.); secretary, Mr. Harry Bailey; committee, Messrs. W. Ainge (N.U.B. & S.O.), C. Dunmore (A.S.L.W.), Morris (P.U.), H. Hood (T. & G.W.), A. Wheeler (M. & G.W.), and Miss D. Tassell (N.U.B. & S.O.). Another seat is to be filled by the N.U.D.A.W. (Midland Laundries branch).

The auditors, Messrs. W. Kitchener and G. Smith were re-elected.

It was agreed that members losing time from work in the performance of Trades Council duties should be compensated for the actual loss of money involved.

The following were appointed as delegates:- Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Mr. W. Kitchener; National Savings Committee, Mr. W. Ainge; Unemployment Panel, Messrs. R. Welsford and H. Bailey; W.E.A., Miss D. Tassell; County Trades Council Committee, Messrs. W. Ainge and H. Bailey; Air Training Corps Committee, Mr. Bailey.

A letter from Mr. W. Gallacher, M.P., regarding the suppression of the “Daily Worker,” was laid on the table.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 21st February, 1941, transcribed by Gill Hollis