A considerable length of footpath in Queen Street compares only with a cinder track, declared Councillor A. H. Dickens at Rushden Urban Council’s meeting on Wednesday.

Adding that it was almost impossible to walk on one pavement, Mr. Dickens was told that the Highways Committee will consider his complaint.

The Library Committee acknowledged gifts of books from Miss Groome, Mr. A. W. Head, Mr. Loakes and Mrs. Muxlow.

The committee accepted the free supply of six periodicals, and agreed to accept any offers for the rack in the newspaper room.

Invited by the “Rushden Campaign Committee” to install the “Daily Worker” in the room, the committee decided not to purchase “a publication for which there appears to be no real demand,” but to accept free copies for the rack should these be offered.

In a strong protest against the concession, Coun. J. Allen suggested that 69 petitioners had been hoaxed into believing they were doing something for the freedom of the Press, whereas the Communists aimed in the long run to do away with the freedom of the Press and of the individual.

After a keen debate, four members voted against the Library Committee’s report, which was adopted.

Caravan critic

Mr. A. E. Folkes was granted a licence to use land in Bedford Road as a site for not more that 40 caravans. The Council imposed conditions which, in regard to sanitation, did not satisfy Coun. A. A. Allebone, who described as “ridiculous” the fact that the standards were based on the Factory Acts.

Referring to “adverse comment” in the town, the chairman (Mr. C. G. Faulkner) said the Council took “a poor view” of the fact that no local band took part in last Saturday’s Festival parade. All were invited, he said.

Coffee Tavern Lane, it was announced, had been scheduled as a no waiting area between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, and as a one-way street for traffic (west to east).

A letter from the Waverley Temperance Hotel, Ltd., suggested that the lane has a name unworthy of the town and should be called “Waverley Street,” but the Highways Committee took no action.

From May 20th, 1952, it was reported, the town will have four wards and appoint 20 councillors.

The plan to substitute covered bus barriers for the open ones in High Street, High Street South and Wellingborough Road is now to be enforced.

Six flats, costing £7,700, will be erected in Upper Queen Street. Net rents of 12 maisonettes were fixed at 12s.

It is hoped to widen one of the corners at the junction of Station Road and Moor Road, and to make a road, costing £1,400, between Pightles Terrace and Harborough Road.

“There is further delay in the restoration of Rushden Hall because the Ministry of Education will not make a grant unless the house becomes a bona fide community centre. The Parks Committee will make a further approach to the Ministry.

The Medical Officer (Dr. P. X. Bermingham) reported nine births and 12 deaths. There were 41 cases of measles last month.

As a new line in rodent control, the Sanitary Inspector was authorised to accept orders for regular inspections and treatments of business premises.

Small houses

The Housing Committee has decided that in future schemes the proportion of two-bedroom type houses, with one living room and a large kitchen, shall be increased. It is hoped that when more houses of this type are available they can be occupied by older people now in larger houses.

Footpaths are to be constructed on the Upper Queen Street site at an estimated cost of £4,620.

Private building licences for houses were granted to Mr. G. E. V. Fleeman (Wymington Road site), Mr. D. A. Panter (Hall Avenue), and Mr. R. Pearson (Avenue Road).

Building plans included: Lavatories, Washbrook Road depot, British Road Services; pair of semi-detached houses, Hall Avenue, Mr. H. Taylor and Mrs. E. M. Starmer; additions to 137, St. Margaret’s Avenue, Mr. S. A. Parnell; extensions to bungalow, 58 St. Margaret’s Avenue, Mr. H. Ingram; house, Avenue Road, Mr. R. Pearson; Nissen hut, Shirley Road, East Midlands Gas Board; covered way, Wellingborough Road, F. Caswell, Ltd.; extensions at “Bredon,” Wellingborough Road, Mr. W. A. Tassell; conservatory, 34, Bedford Road, Mr. W. S. Bayes; bathroom, 40, Sartoris Road, Mr. C. Westley; tool-shed, 37, Birchall Road, Mr. C. G. Daniels; garage, 128, Hall Avenue, Mr. Long; workshop, 41, Purvis Road, Mr. F. Tyman.

A street numbering scheme has been prepared for Avenue Road, and another is in hand for Bedford Road.

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