CONCERT — On Friday evening, Nov. 15th, a concert, of vocal and instrumental music, intermixed with readings, was given in the National Schools in behalf of the fund for providing a new Church clock. At the restoration of the Church the old clock was taken down with a view to be repaired, but when it was examined it was deemed advisable to have a new clock, and a concert was held previously, at which £10 was realised. The Church organist, Mr. J. E. Smith, got up the present concert, and notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, upwards of 200 persons were present, amongst whom we noticed—Mr. F. U. Sartoris, Mrs. and Miss Sartoris and party, Sir F. Robinson, Mrs. Currie and party, the Rev. J. T. and Mrs. Barker and party.

The programme was a capital one, and all the performers acquitted themselves satisfactorily. The Rev. J. T. Barker read a new poem, by the Poet Laureate, which was listened to with breathless attention, and elicited hearty applause. The following was the programme presented:—Duet, pianoforte, "Masaniello," Miss Sartoris and Mr. Smith; song, "The slave chase," Mr. J. Warren; four-part song, "The distant sea," Choir; reading, "Japheth in search of a father," Rev. Sir Frederick Robinson; song, "The lost chord," Mrs. Dickens; solo, pianoforte, "Bonnie Scotland," Miss Mason; quarrtette, "Silent night," Mrs. Barker, Mrs. Dickens, Mr. Baker, and Mr. Warren; song, "Tell me, my heart," Mrs. Wetenhall; duet, pianoforte and violin, "Cosi fan tutte," Messrs. J. E Smith and J. Jolley; glee, "Gipsy life," Choir; duet pianoforte,"Zampa," Miss Sartoris and Mr Smith; song, "The bellringer," Mr. W. Skinner; quartette, "The last wild rose," Miss H. Wrighton, Mrs. Dickens, Messrs. J. Nichols, and W. Skinner; reading, "The revenge," Rev. J. T. Barker; song, "Shall I wear a white rose," Mrs. Barker; solo, pianoforte, "Home, sweet home," Miss Mason; song, "The anchorsmith," Mr. J. Farey; ballad, "Ye little birds that sit and sing," Choir; song, "Sally," Mrs. Wetenhall. Mr. Smith acted as accompanyist.

The proceeds amounted to upwards of £5, which amount was handed over to the Rector. At the conclusion, the Rector, on behalf of Mr. Smith, thanked the audience for their patronage, and gave notice of a series of lectures to be given during the winter.

Church Decorations—The Church presents a model of artistic taste in the art of decoration, and reflects the highest credit upon the decorators — Miss Stephens, Messrs. Clayton, Swan, and others.

Christmas Festivities were commenced in this village by the two brass bands serenading; the inhabitants at midnight on Christmas Eve. The members of the temperance band also sang carols and Christmas pieces. The bells were rung merrily at midnight on Christmas Eve, and again on Christmas morning their peals resounded gaily through the village. The ringers on Christmas Day succeeded in ringing a peal of 720 grandsire, with twelve bobs and six singles.

CONFIRMATION-On Friday, the 16th ult., a confirmation service was held by the Bishop of Peterborough, in the Parish Church, when candidates were presented from Rushden, Newton Bromshold, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, &c. In the evening a special sermon was preached in the Church, suitable for the occasion.

TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT- On Monday evening about 200 scholars of the Church Sunday School had tea in the National Schools, and in the evening the Rev. T. Grabham, Rector of Irthlingborough, interested them with a series of magic lantern views. Mrs. Currie, Rushden House, also presented the prizes, and a few words of counsel were given by the Rev. Canon Barker, the donor of the feast. On Tuesday evening the smaller scholars were similarly entertained in the same place by the Rector.

PRESENTATION—On New Year's Eve the members of the choir and teachers of the Church Sunday Schools presented the Rector with an address, beautifully illuminated and framed, and Mrs. Barker with a revolving tray, filled with Dresden china. The presentation was made by Mr. J. Warren, and acknowledged by the Rev. Canon Barker. A tea party preceded the presentation, and an entertainment followed.

In Easter Week the Church choir and Sunday School teachers and friends provided trays for a public tea in the National Schools, at which there was a large attendance. Outdoor amusements were indulged in until dusk, when the party re-assembled in the schools, in one room of which the farce of "Box and Cox” was acted, and the other was set apart for dancing, and the company were highly delighted with the evening's amusements. The proceeds were given to the Church Restoration Fund.

CHURCH TEMPERANCE SOCIETY—On Tuesday last a meeting in connection with this society was held in the large hall at the Coffee Tavern. The chair was taken by the Rev. Canon Barker, who delivered an excellent opening address, and speeches followed by the Rev. Mr. Hayes, of Swineshead, and the Rev. A. E. Kinch, of Bozeat. Musical selections were given at intervals, in admirable style, by Mrs. Barker, Miss K. Packwood, and Messrs. W. Packwood, Farey, C. Stringer, W. Skinner, and K. Skinner. J. E. Smith accompanied upon the piano. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the speakers and the friends who had provided so great a musical treat, and the proceedings were brought to a close with the National Anthem, the Chairman making a brief incidental allusion to the dastardly attempt upon the life of the Queen.

VESTRY MEETING—On Thursday week the Easter meeting was held in the Vestry-hall, the Rev. Canon Barker presiding. Mr. F. U. Sartoris and Mr. R. O. Butcher were appointed churchwardens, and Messrs. G. Skinner and Woodward, sidesmen.

SCHOOL FEAST—On Wednesday, the 27th inst., the infants connected with the Church Sunday Schools had tea in the infant school; about 100 were present. On the Thursday the elder scholars and about 50 teachers and friends had tea in the new Hall. Among the visitors we noticed Mrs. Currie, Mr. and Mrs. Simpson and party, Higham Ferrers; Canon Barker and Mrs. Barker and family, Rev. E. Secker. After tea the scholars were entertained with charades, and in the evening a part of "The Merchant of Venice " was very ably given.

YOUNG MEN'S FRIENDLY SOCIETY — The adjourned meeting to further discuss the formation of the above was held in the Infant Schoolroom on Tuesday evening last, when the Rev. Canon Barker presided. It was decided to bring the matter more prominently before the parish, by holding a tea at an early date.

CHURCH GUILD—The Rector (Rev. W. R Morse) presided at a united meeting of the Guild on Tuesday evening, when Mr. A. G. C. Vann gave a very interesting paper on "Christian Socialism." Discussion ensued. The paper was much appreciated.

Parish Church
The curate (the curate J. R. Blunt) preached in the morning and at the close of the service the “Dead March” (Handel) was played by the organist, Mr. J. E. Smith. In the evening the Rector (the Rev. W. R. Morse) referred very feelingly to the Christian character of the deceased statesman. [Mr. Gladstone]

The Church Tower
Rushden people will note with satisfaction that the work of restoring the fine tower of the Parish Church has already been taken in hand. Scaffolding has been erected, and the work will be at once proceeded with. Some five or six years ago it was considered advisable to discontinue the ringing of the bells, and this has been followed out except upon rare occasions. Messrs. Brown and Fisher, after a thorough examination of the structure, have recommended the pointing of the tower and other repairs. The estimated cost is £500, and Mr. R. Marriott, builder, Rushden, has been instructed to carry out the required work.

Rushden Parish Church
After standing for three or four months, the scaffolding erected for the purpose of repairing the tower of the Rushden Parish Church has this week been entirely removed, and the inhabitants have the satisfaction of knowing that the edifice has been made secure. It will be remembered that Mr. Talbot Brown reported to the Church Council that the ironwork which held the four angle pinnacles and flying buttresses was a source of danger, through rust and expansion splitting the stones. He recommended that this should be removed and the stone-work re-set where required, and also that the whole of the tower should be thoroughly examined and repaired. The work was entrusted to Mr. Marriott, who has carried out the work to the satisfaction of all concerned. The Urban Council also took advantage of the scaffolding to have the clock faces re-gilded, and this remains as a bright reminder of the improvements effected. The completion of the work comes at an opportune time, seeing that on Saturday a series of meetings commence which will make the church a centre of special interest, Canon Lester, of Lichfield, assisted by others, entering upon a special evangelistic mission.

Rushden Notes
Clerical Changes – The Rev. E. W. Suart, curate at the Parish Church, left Rushden on Tuesday. He will take up his new duties at Hursley, near Winchester, in about a month’s time.

A Flower and Egg Service was held on Sunday afternoon in St. Mary’s Church, conducted by the Rector (the Rev. P. Robson). An address was given by the Rev. P. J. Richards, Vicar of St. Peter’s. Generous gifts of flowers and eggs were brought by the scholars, and 700 eggs were sent away for the wounded soldiers, in addition to which about 100 were sent to the sick in the town.

CHURCH GIFT— Writing in the current issue of St Mary's Parish Church Magazine, the Rector, the Rev. Travers S. Stoney says: “I have been promised a new St. George's flag. This is a kindly and much appreciated gift. The giver prefers to remain unknown. I think I would like a band of Churchyard Servitors, who would undertake in summer to mow our hallowed acre, and put up the flag when necessary. It is rather a perilous climb.
FETE RESULT – The excellent sum of £151 was raised at the recent garden fete in connection with St Mary’s Church Rushden.