Rushden Research Group: Civic Services

Civic Services

Civic Service 1940

Civic Service 1942

Civic Service 1943

(l-r) Cyril Faulkner, Frank Brown, Mrs Muxlow, Mr Crowdy, J Tom Richardson, Ernie E Newell, Mrs Lean, Willie Capon, Bill Keller, ?, ?, Ginns, ... Dickens, ?, ?, Gus Allebone

Photograph thought to be the Councillors going into St Mary's Church for a Civic Service, year unknown. If you can help with the other names or to confirm the date please contact us.

Rushden Echo & Argus 25th June 1954 - Photo by A J George

Mr E A Sugars, chairman of Rushden Urban Council, parades to church with his fellow councillors.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 27th June, 1958, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden’s Civic Sunday

Civic parade

Only three members of Rushden Urban Council missed the annual civic church parade on Sunday morning. There was also a good supporting procession, with strong turn-outs by the St. John Ambulance brigade divisions and youth brigades.

Police led the parade from Station Approach to St. Mary’s Church, and the Salvation Army Band was playing.

At St. Mary’s, where churchyard excavations had reached their ultimate point, the marchers made a strange sight as they picked their way over planks beneath the wall-less western steps.

With the councillors was Mr. W. J. A. Peck, attending as a county councillor, and Mr. F. E. Brown, leading the group as chairman of Rushden UDC, was escorted by Mr. C. Ginns (vice-chairman) and Mr. A. G. Crowdy (clerk).

The service was conducted by the rector (the Rev. I. E. Douglas-Jones), Mr. Brown reading the first lesson and Mr. Cyril Cave playing the organ. There was a large congregation.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 22nd May 1959, transcribed by Jim Hollis

Mr. Ginns is Elected
Mr. Charles Ginns on Wednesday became chairman of Rushden Urban Council. After his election to the chair at the council’s annual meeting he looked to the future and said he would be pleased to see new industries introduced.

“We have ground available and I would like to see new industries come to town,” he said.

His year of office, he noted with regret, would mark the closure of the railway passenger service. “We must make efforts to get adequate bus services to and from Wellingborough station,” he declared.

It was expected, he added, that the Boundary Commission would make known some of its views on county boundary revision. On this matter, which has been a point of controversy, he passed no comment.

The year would also see work on paths, roads, parks and sewerage, he said.

Mr. Ginns thanked the council for the good wishes extended to him and his wife. He felt it an honour to take his new position and he would do his best to give the position the dignity it deserved.

Mr. Ginns was proposed for the chairmanship by Mr. E. E. Newell, who said: “He has the background which a chairman needs.”

Mrs. A. U. Muxlow seconded, saying: “Mr. Ginns is a very industrious and sincere councillor who will do his best in the chair. He will also have any amount of help from his wife, who is a very industrious worker for all good causes.

Mr. R. R. Griffiths’ comment was that Mr. Ginns “is a very quiet and unassuming person. I don’t think he would fall out with anyone.”

The vice-chair, vacated by Mr. Ginns, was taken by Mrs. G. Marriott, who, said Mr. J. E. Wills, had been given spontaneous and unanimous approval.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 26th June 1959

Rushden Urban Council marches to church on Civic Sunday with its chairman, Mr Charles Ginns, at the head. With Mr Ginns on the way to Park Road Baptist Church are Mrs G Marriott (vice-chairman) and Mr A G Crowdy (clerk). Leading the police escort is Inspector A E Ellis.