Over £800 for Carnival Fund
Queens Introduced and Figures Announced at Rushden Concert
Brilliant Ladies’ Band

To a large audience at the Ritz Cinema on Sunday evening, where a concert was held in aid of the United Services Carnival Fund, Mr. Sidney Hawkes announced some remarkable figures from which it was evident that although the intended carnival was not held last Saturday a large sum had been raised for the Serving Men’s Parcels Fund and the town’s principal health services.

To compensate for the cancellation of the fete a house-to-house collection was made on Saturday, and Mr. Hawkes announced that £212 was raised by this means. Other approximate receipts were :-

Prize draw £100, manufacturers list £121, flag day (Saturday) £89, “Risdene Tatler” £40, Legion whist drive £4, Rotary Club scrap iron collection £51, seven-a-side football contest £22, United Services Queens’ flag day £211.

The total of these efforts is £850.

The news was received with enthusiasm, and Mr. Hawkes added “We are due for a very good result, despite the disadvantages we have been working under.”

Councillor J. Allen, J.P. (Chairman of the Urban Council), offered the town’s congratulations and thanks to the organisers who had put such splendid work into the various efforts. It was unfortunate, he said, that they could not carry out their carnival programme, but everything else had gone off most successfully. He particularly thanked the Query Motor Club, the Service Queens and the Deputy Queens, who by a splendid effort had raised over £200.

Badges for Queens

Arranged by Mr. Leslie Miller of the Serving Men’s Parcels Fund Committee, the concert was made the occasion for the formal introduction of the Service Queens and their deputies.

The girls, who had been assisting the programme sellers, took the stage in a graceful group, and were accompanied by the ex-Carnival Queen (Peggy Marriott) and two of her attendants Miss Gwen Shellard (Navy Queen) Miss Margaret Dilley (Army Queen) and Miss Joan Wallis (Air Force Queen), who wore long frocks with headdresses in the form of Service emblems. Their deputies, also beautifully attired, were the Misses Marie Perkins, Elinor Short and Evelyn Whitby.

Mr. Hawkes introduced the ladies and Miss Dorothy Holbrook, leading artiste of the concert, presented them with their badges of office, Miss Marriott assisting.

A profusion of bouquets and other gifts was then presented, and there were presents also for Mr. E. Bennett, hon. secretary of the Parcels Fund and Mr. Leslie Miller.

The Navy Queen thanked all who had supported the cause.

Music and Comedy

The concert was a gay and meritorious light entertainment by Dorothy Holbrook and her Harmony Band with the support of Johnny Kavanagh (comedian), and Walker and Ray (comedy duo). Members of the band co-operated in the clever sketches which were a feature of the opening half, and also supplied a smart accompanying orchestra. Johnny Kavanagh’s “Girl Guide” act was extremely comical, and Walker’s fish-and-chip mimicry was rather a hit.

After the interval the band, now in full uniform, gave a continuous programme of syncopated music and showed great enthusiasm by its versatility and the general brilliance of its playing. These smart girls would hold their own in any company. Many of them “doubled” on a variety of instruments, and several – the players of trumpets, saxophones and violins – had opportunities to display a high degree of virtuosity.

Miss Holbrook, an untiring leader, kept them vigorously astir, bringing some to the microphone and encouraging the element of humour. One of her chief assistants was Ivy Gunn, whose talents as a comedienne were on a par with her skill on various instruments. Little Maxine Harrison, aged 15, a Lancashire lass who was working in a mill until three weeks ago, was a most popular songster, and Doreen Dene, the deep-toned crooner had all the points that crooners need. It was unfortunate, however, that the microphone made harsh interruptions.

Rushden Composer

The medley of overtures, the medley of hunting and drinking songs, and the “No, No, Nanette” selection were rousing examples of developed cacophony.

A most unusual and popular feature was the simultaneous playing of seven pianofortes by Miss Holbrook and six of her girls, who included “Look on the Bright Side,” an attractive new song by Mr. Charles Sanders, of Rushden. Mr. Sanders kindly gave 200 copies of his song for sale on behalf of the Carnival Fund.

Mr. George Delamare was the able stage manager.

Amusements To Go

It was recommended by the Parks, Baths and Hall Emergency Sub-committee that the three swings in Spencer Park be repaired at a cost of £19 11s. 7d. They also recommended that the question of repairs necessary to the two “Giant Strides” be deferred for this season and that they be dismantled and not used. With regard to the other amusements not considered safe, it was agreed that they be removed from the Park.

The Sub-committee had resolved that the 50-feet slide in Jubilee Park be dispensed with owing to the large expense that would be involved in effecting the repairs that were necessary to place it in a safe condition. With regard to the other amusements in this Park, instructions were given for the necessary small repairs to be carried out to the 10-feet swings and the non-bumper see-saw which would render them safe for children.

It was reported by the Housing Committee that the whole of the work of internal and external decorations under the 1939/40 programme had now been satisfactorily completed. In spite of the existing difficulties, mainly with regard to labour, good progress was being made with the internal and external decorations under the 1940/41 programme, 40 houses having been satisfactorily completed.

Rent arrears now outstanding, after allowing for the sum of £23 11s 2d. in respect of tenants who pay regularly other than weekly, was £60 9s 9d. a reduction of 2s 7d. since the last meeting. There were still a number of tenants who evaded payment of their arrears on the slightest pretext, and these were continually being seen. It was hoped that at the Housing Committee’s next meeting the actual arrears of rent would be below £50 for the first time.

Pumps and Sand

The committee had under consideration the question of the provision of some form of protection of the Council’s houses and their tenants from air raids, particularly the damage caused by incendiary bombs, and they had decided to provide 16 stirrup pumps (one to each 50 houses). The Housing Manager had been instructed to organise a squad of from six to nine tenants from each street who, it was understood, would be trained by the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade. It had also been resolved to provide 16 bins of sand to be distributed, from which the tenants who so desired could obtain a supply for storing in their houses.

Amendments by the Home Office to the Council’s scheme for converting open sheds at the depot into an auxiliary fire station were agreed to. It was resolved that upon the receipt of final approval from the Home Office the Fire Brigade Sub-committee would invite tenders for the work of conversion, accept the most favourable, and give orders for the work to proceed.

An account which had been received by the Plans, Highways and Lighting Committee, showed that the cost of clearing snow from trunk and county roads during the abnormal weather conditions of the past winter amounted to £397 5s. 1d. It was resolved that an account of the amount so expended be forwarded to the County Surveyor with a request that the Council be reimbursed to that extent.

In addition the sum expended by the Council on gritting these roads was £153 14s. 3d., whereas under the Council’s agreement with the County Council only £40 was payable by the latter authority. It was decided to forward an account of the expenditure to the County Surveyor with an application for reimbursement of the extra sum involved.

The Sanitary Inspector reported that of 12 specimens of milk submitted for bacteriological examination 11 were satisfactory.

Cemetery Details

The half-yearly report of the Cemetery Registrar stated that during the period ended June 30 there had been 124 interments as against 77 during the previous half-year. Thirty-four grave spaces had been purchased and 35 reserved for a period of 14 years. Nineteen headstones had been erected, 34 grave spaces enclosed with kerbing, 31 flower vases placed on graves and 14 additional inscriptions engraved on existing memorials. The fees collected and banked during the half-year amounted to £232 16s. 4d.

A report on the salvage of waste materials was considered satisfactory. This report stated that the value of waste materials collected and sold during June was £46 6s. 3d. The materials included 8 ¾ tons of waste paper and 7 ½ tons of crushed tins.

Owing to the non-use of horse power at the sewage farm the Surveyor had disposed of a quantity of mangolds for £1, and a quantity of hay for £2 10s.

For the protection of the employees at the farm from the effects of gas caused through enemy action, the Surveyor had purchased two sets of anti-gas clothing including rubber boots at an approximate cost of £8.

An offer from Mr. B. Folkes to rent the piece of land known as “Oakpits” for £1 for a half-year was accepted.

M.O.H.’S. New Position

A letter from the Clerk of the County Council stated that arising from the resignation of Dr J. A. Roughead from the appointments of Deputy County Medical Officer of Health and District M.O.H. for the Towcester Rural District, his Public Health Committee had considered proposals for the re-arrangement of their male medical staff. They proposed to relieve Dr. D. A. McCracken, the M.O.H. for this district, of some of his duties under the maternity and child welfare school medical schemes in order to enable him to take over the appointment of District M.O.H. for the rural district of Towcester, and at the same time to assist in the administrative work in the Public Health Department. The arrangements were designed so as not to affect in any way the duties which Dr. McCracken renders as M.O.H. for this district and were brought to the notice of the Council in order that they might be fully aware of the position.

The letter also stated that these arrangements would only remain in operation for the duration of the war.

The Council agreed to the proposed arrangements providing that it was understood that Dr. McCracken would still continue to reside in Rushden.

An application from Mr. F. L. Tysoe, of Higham-road, Rushden, for a licence authorising him to allow his field, off the Higham-road, to be used as a site for a moveable dwelling, was refused.

Permission was granted to the Rev. E. A. Green to hold open-air services in Rushden Hall grounds on Sunday evenings during July and August, one in each month.

Mr. G. C. Townsend’s offer of £6 for the privilege of grazing the three acres of grass land in the Hall grounds at the rear of his premises for the year commencing July 1, was accepted.

A.R.P. at Hall

The Surveyor was instructed to purchase a stirrup pump for use in the Hall in case of fire, and to make arrangements with the Chief Officer of the Brigade for the caretaker and two other of the Hall employees to be instructed in its use.

An application from Mr. Robinson, the attendant at the Baths, for an increase in wages owing to the extra hours he was engaged and the additional work devolving upon him at this time of the year, was granted.

The Council agreed to pay a weekly sum to Miss Cripps, one of the lady helpers in Rushden in connection with the unaccompanied children billeted in the town, as she was performing excellent work. It was also decided to take over the financial responsibility of the club which she was running for the evacuees’ benefit.

Permission was granted to Mr. H. F. W. Adams, the Surveyor’s assistant, to volunteer for service with H. M. Forces.

The following plans were approved:- Additions to house, Shirley-road, Mr. B. Keller; store, Lime-street, Messrs. John White, Ltd.; garage, Woodland-road, Mr. W. A. Berrill; cycle shed, Glassbrook-road, Messrs. W. E. Sargent and Co. No exception would be taken in the last three cases provided the owners give an undertaking to remove the building when called upon by the Council to do so.

Firm’s Offer

An offer was received from Messrs. Fred Corby, Ltd., to make up and complete John-street to the satisfaction of the Surveyor provided that the Council would, when so completed, take it over as a highway repairable by the inhabitants at large. The Council decided to accept Messrs. Corby’s offer on the terms stated.

Councillor Spencer asked whether the Council were to meet in August. The Chairman replied that if there was any urgent business to consider the Council would meet immediately.

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, Dr. R. W. Davies, Mrs. O.A. H. Muxlow, W. E. Capon, A. F. Weale, J. George, J. J. Swindall, J. Spencer, J.P., J. H. J. Paragreen, H. Waring, W. J. Sawford, E. A. Sugars and J. T. Richardson.