Church Parade
At St. Mary’s Parish Church, Rushden, on Sunday afternoon, a church parade and men’s service was held, addressed by the local chaplain, the Rev. Stainsbury.

The local Volunteers, under Lieut. G. R. Turner; the Special Constables, under Mr. Mead; and the Church Lads’ Brigade, under Lieut. Bailey, fell in at Spencer Park, and headed by the “Hallamshire” Bugle Band and accompanied by the C.L.B. Band, marched to the church.

The Rev. Percy Robson conducted the service.

Boy Gardeners’ Example—Mr. C. F. Lawrence, F.R.H.S., horticultural superintendent under the Northamptonshire Education Committee, writing on “Inter-cropping,” says: “In Rushden North End Council School garden the boys often grow some very good crops of radishes over the potato plots before the potatoes are earthed up, sowing the radish seed immediately after planting the potatoes, and in 1913 this class grew four cops on the same land; first radishes and early potatoes as described above, and, later on, tomatoes and turnips, making a net profit of 11s. 4d. from just 14 square yards of land.

Potatoes—On Wednesday morning a crowd of some hundreds of women and children besieged a Rushden greengrocer’s shop for potatoes and a policeman had to keep them in order. Several tradesmen have the notes: “No potatoes” in their windows.

Seed Potatoes—Through the kindness of Mr. B. Ladds, of Rushden, who secured half-a-ton from a friend in Scotland, seed potatoes have been in plentiful supply in the town.

Rushden Echo, 27^th April 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Women and Food Economy—Under the auspices of the Rushden Town Food Economy Committee, a meeting for women was held in the Public Hall on Tuesday afternoon, to hear an address by the Government’s agent in the food economy campaign—Mrs. Pember Reeves.

Mrs T Tailby presided over a large audience. Mrs. Reeves said that the question to consider that afternoon was not so much the price of food as the food scarcity. However much money they possessed it would be perfectly useless if there were no food supplies. The great question was the matter of economy in the preparation and use of food-stuffs. The women’s were now going to run the country. The Germans kept boasting that by June, England would be reduced to starvation point and that the English women would then cry “We must give in.” But Britishers would not do that. She had it on authority that no way had yet been found to cope with the submarines , and it was most difficult to prevent them from sinking our ships.

If the people would not economise voluntarily, two things might happen: 1. Compulsory rationing, under which the townspeople and the poor would suffer, and it was much finer to sacrifice voluntarily, than under force. 2. The Government might say “You are not sufficiently good managers. We must cook your food for you, and establish central kitchens all over the country. “

The Y. and L. Regiment—Mrs. Jackson, of Pittsmoor, Sheffield, writes to the Editor of the “Rushden Echo" as follows: "I would like to express my gratefulness for the kindness shown to this regiment whilst stationed at Rushden. It was greatly appreciated by my husband and the other boys of the regiment. They say they will never forget the happy times spent in your town."

Shops to Close—Rushden people will be glad to assist proprietors in giving their assistants at holiday this year, by getting in their groceries in sufficient quantities to carry them over August Bank Holiday. Messrs. Tailby and Putnam, Messrs. Ward and Hall, and Mr. C. W. Battersby have decided to close their premises and branch shops for August Bank Holiday until Friday morning. This will give assistants a well-earned rest, and we are sure the public will endorse the proprietors’ generous action by shopping early.

Air Visitor - Aeroplane’s Bump at Rushden
Shortly after 12 o’clock on Monday morning an Army biplane appeared over Rushden, and after circling the town several times at a low altitude descended in a field on the path to Newton, near Mortimer’s Lodge. The descent, however, was somewhat heavy, and the nose of the machine pitched forward on reaching the ground, and as a result the wheels and propeller were broken. The airman, Capt. Smith, fortunately escaped injury, and stated that the descent became necessary because of engine trouble. The police undertook to guard the machine, and during the afternoon many people visited the Newton-road to obtain a view of the visitor.

Rushden Vocalist’s Success – Miss E. Harlow to Visit France
Miss Eveline Harlow (soprano), of Rushden, has, through the instrumentality of her singing master (Mr. Bernard Tomkins) obtained an introduction to Miss Lena Ashwell, the celebrated actress, who, as is well known, is organising concerts for the troops in France. Yesterday Miss Harlow was granted an interview by Miss Ashwell, who heard her sing...................

Some Potatoes—Although not prize-winners, Mr. T. Smith, of the “British United,” and Mr. W. Childs have some prize potatoes from their war allotments. They grew potatoes called “Ninetyfold” and Mr. T. Smith dug one root which had three potatoes weighing 3lb. 13½oz., and average weight of £1lb. 4½oz. The biggest was £1lb. 5oz. The root had several more sizeable tubers. Mr. Childs dug one potato weighing £1lb. 7½oz.

Rushden Baptists’ School Treat - War-time Festivities - Sports Results
A war-time treat to the scholars of the Park-road Baptist Sunday school, Rushden, was held on Saturday, when the children fell in at the Assembly-room, and, headed by the bugle band of the 1st Gordon troop of Boy Scouts, marched to Mr Fred Corby’s field in Newton-road, where a happy time was spent in games and sports. Tea was served picnic fashion in the field, the youngsters finding their own eatables, and the school providing tea, milk and sugar. Each of the scholars was given a 2d. voucher to spend at a stall in the field. Unfortunately, the afternoon was somewhat marred by the heavy thunder-showers, but it was found possible to carry out the sports which resulted as follows:-

Male teachers’ flat race: 1 Mr F Sharwood, 2 H Wright, 3 A Hanger.

Tug-of-war: 1 Assembly Room team.

Lady teachers’ flat race: 1 Miss S Norman, 2 Miss W Stringer, 3 Mrs Bailey.

Ladies’ skipping competition: 1 Mrs Barley, 2 Miss C Rice, 3 Miss A Bettles.

Scouts’ pillow fight: 1 B Stokes, 2 S Colgrave.

Scouts’ relay race: 1 Page’s team, 2 West’s team.

Girls’ primary race (60 yards flat): 1 G Peek, 2 W Stokes, 3 L Stokes.

Boys’ primary race (80 yards flat): 1 C Betts, 2 E Partridge, 3 L Childs.

Girls’ junior race (80 yards flat): 1 A Percival, 2 D Holliday, 3 I Robinson.

Boys’ junior race (100 yards flat): 1 G Woodhams, 2 A Jones, 3 A Andrews.

Girls’ intermediate race (100 yards dlat): 1 E Holmes, 2 D Clark, 3 D Bass.

Boys’ intermediate race (120 yards flat): 1 E Partridge, 2 D Peck, 3 Tansey.

Girls’ skipping competition: 1 Knight, 2 Bass, 3 Clark.

Boys’ four-legged race: 1 Peck’s team, 2 Denton’s team.

Girls’ potato race: 1 Clayton, 2 S Collins, 3 L Spriggs.

Boys’ dressing race: 1 Childs, 2 Woodhams, 3 Andrews.

Mr F Sharwood and Mr J T Bettles presented the prizes. Te committee for the sports was Mr G Philby, A Hanger and H Wright, secretary. Over £3 was spent on prizes for the scholars, and Mr F Sharwood kindly gave the teachers’ prizes.