RAUNDS - HAY TIME—Clover and grass cutting has commenced in this district and the haymakers have been busy in Stanwick meadows during the past week, and a quantity of hay has already been carted. If the weather holds fine haymaking will soon become general.

NEW SOCIETY OF CHURCH BELL-RINGERS—A union of Church Bell Ringers to be called ''The Raunds, Wellingborough, and district society of Church Bell Ringers" has just been formed having for its object the cultivation of the art of change-ringing and the promotion of belfry reform. The society consists of honorary and performing members and a code of rules has been drawn up for their guidance. The Ven. R. P. Lightfoot, M. A., Archdeacon of Oakham and vicar of Wellingborough, is the president, and the Rev. Hugh Bryan, vicar of Raunds is the secretary. The operations of this society are not in the least to interfere with the rules or funds of parochial societies, but to assist in promoting the further efficiency of each.

THE PROPOSED NEW COFFEE TAVERN—Another meeting of the promoters of this movement was held in the Temperance Hall, on Monday evening last. Mr. G. Lee again presided. He reported that he had communicated with the various owners of the several sites fixed upon as suitable places on which to erect a Coffee Tavern, and submitted offers of sale of two sites from Messrs. J. K. Nichols and H. Rooksby. Mr. Nichols offered a road of frontage ground in Brook-street including a cottage and garden for the sum of £250. Mr. Rooksby offered a piece of frontage ground in Lower High-street above the Wesleyan Chapel, for 3s. a yard. After some little discussion these offers were declined, and a site chosen just below the Wesleyan Chapel, belonging to the Raunds and Neighbourhood Freehold Benefit Building Society, whom we understand are willing to sell, and it was therefore decided if possible to secure it. Some other preliminary business relative to the formation of a company was then discussed and the meeting adjourned.

TAKES the present opportunity of tendering his sincere thanks to the inhabitants of Raunds and the surrounding villages for the liberal support received since he has been in business, and at the same time begs to inform the public that he has now in stock a very large assortment of Men's, Boys', Women's, and Girls' Strong Boots for Autumn trade at SPECIAL LOW PRICES, to which inspection is respectfully solicited.

BESPOKE ORDERS CAREFULLY EXECUTED WITH DISPATCH.

PLOUGH MONDAY—The old custom of going a plough witching, was again observed here on Monday. Mathew Kirk a veteran plough-witch of long standing who has gone the rounds for more than a generation back was again to the front, dressed like some Indian chief with hunchback and be-daubed in his war paints, in company with whom, as his squaw, was William Beeby, a "witch" of the past age dressed in grotesque female attire, and made beautiful for ever by paints not of Madam Rachel’s make.

CHANGE RINGING— On Monday last, the Raunds Church Bell-ringers rang in capital style, for practice, a date touch of 1,884 changes, in one hour and eleven minutes.

SCIENCE EXAMINATIONS—Science examinations in agriculture and geology were held at the National School on Friday and Monday, and at the Wesleyan School for Hygiene on Tuesday.

RADICAL ASSOCIATION—We understand that a Radical Association has been recently formed with its headquarters at the "George" Inn, having for its object the diffusion of advanced Liberal principles.

Raunds—Typhoid Fever—We are sorry to have to report another outbreak of typhoid fever in this parish. There are already four or five cases in different parts of the village, and the utmost precautions should be taken by all to keep it from spreading.

The Proposed Rushden and Raunds Railway—Plans, sections, and books of reference of the above line of railway, have been deposited with Mr. James Gostick, the parish clerk, for public inspection, and owners and tenants of property have this week received the required notice from Messrs. Beale and Co., the agents for the Midland Railway Company.

Raunds - CHRISTMAS—Signs of the coming of Christmas are manifest in every part of the village. Most of the shops have been set out tastily for the occasion, and prettily adorned with evergreens. The butchers’ shops have some excellent displays of meat of all kinds, as well as poultry. Sugar, spices, and fruits of the choicest kind adorn the grocers' shop windows, and so arranged as to form Christmas greetings. The tailors and drapers have not been behindhand, their goods being shown to the best advantage.

NEW RATES—A rate at 8d. in the £ for poor, highway, and sanitary purposes has just been made for this parish. Also a lighting rate at 3d. in the £ on house property and 1d. in the £ on land.

BANK HOLIDAY—This holiday was generally observed on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday there was a good number of excursionists by the Midland and North-Western trains for Yarmouth and Hunstanton.

THE HARVEST—With the exception of a few late pieces, most of the corn is cut in this district, and the farmers are busily engaged in carrying it home this week.

WORKMEN'S OUTING—The employees of the Raunds Co-operative Army Boot and Shoe contractors and manufacturers with their wives, had their annual outing on Monday, going by the L. and N.W. Railway Company's trip to Brighton. A number of others also went by the same excursion. Starting at 4.45 a.m., the excursionists reached their destination at 9.15. After a pleasant day spent by the sea and in perambulations about this fashionable sea-side resort, a safe return was made by the excursionists at midnight.

The Public Examination of Tanner Bros., builders, Raunds, was closed at Northampton Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday.

Raunds Football—Evans and Robins, of Raunds St Peter’s Football Club, are to play for Sheffield United.

The Christian Endeavour held a rally on Tuesday evening. A coffee supper was served, after which a good programme was gone through.

Four Deaths and 15 births were registered during January.

A Case of erysipelas at Raunds was reported during the last month.

Higham Ferrers V.A.D.Auxiliary Hospital—Miss Newman and Miss Tinston, as the result of a concert and dance held on January 23rd, have handed in the sum of £4 to the hospital. By selling photographs of Mr F W Dix of Raunds, the amateur champion skater, a profit of 5/8 was made, and, at Mr Dix’s request, Mr Geo Hunt expended that amount in cigarettes for the wounded soldiers and handed them in on Wednesday night.

Raunds and Rushden Meet – Private Harold Clipson, M.T., A.S.C., son of Councillor J S Clipson, of Rushden, was recently carrying out his duties in an orderly room “somewhere in Egypt” when a letter addressed to Mr Oliver Hall, the well-known humorous vocalist, of Raunds, came into his hands. Evidently the letter had been picked up at sea and re-posted.

The provision of a fire-engine for the town was advocated at the meeting of the Urban Council on Monday by Mr Batchelor. Mr Adams moved that the Council approve of steps being taken to secure a fire-engine for the protection of Raunds, not only from the standpoint of employers, but especially from the workers’ standpoint.—Mr Batchelor seconded, and it was carried.—The matter was referred to in the Waterworks Committee.

Five births and deaths were registered at Raunds during October. There were two interments at the cemetery.

The Weather Report for January, as recorded at the Council School, shows that the temperatures were well above normal until the 12th, when a cold ENE current from High-pressure system over Western Europe heralded a severe spell of weather. There were 20 degrees of frost on Jan. 17th at 4p.m. Snow fell on five days. There were 14 mornings showing ground frosts.

Raunds Men to Compete at Oxford
The lack of winter and ice has caused the Raunds Skating Association to go further afield for its sport. An excursion has been arranged for February 27th to Oxford where Messrs Frank Hall, Hartwell and R Lawrence, of Raunds, are to compete in speed contests. All three of these gentlemen have shown much promise as future English champions, and Raunds people wonder if another Walt Dix will be found!

Grace Groom conducts the Raunds Ladies' Choir, in the Midland Home Service on Tuesday, January 30th.

Globe Should Re-open Soon
The Pub with no beer and locked doors may soon be back in business for thirsty customers. The problem with the Globe Inn, at Raunds, has been the absence of “mine host.” The previous landlord left at the end of last year and the owners, Watney Mann (Midlands) Ltd., didn’t have enough time to find a successor. And the pub has been closed since.