Town’s Meeting at Rushden
Coronation Festivities - Recreation Ground Suggested - The South End Park

Last night in the Public Hall, Rushden, a town’s meeting, convened by the Urban Council, was held to consider what steps should be taken to celebrate the Coronation of King George V, Councillor J. Claridge, J.P., C.C., presided supported by Councillors Kitchin, F. Knight, J.P., W. Bazeley, C. Bates, G. Miller, C.C., J. S. Clipson, G. H. Skinner, and T. Swindall, Messrs. G. S. Mason, J. S. Mason, W. M. Hensman, F. L. Heygate, W. B. Madin, and W. L. Beetenson.

The Chairman said that they in Rushden as loyal subjects desired to do something to celebrate the coronation, as would be the custom all over the country. Most of them had had the privilege of living in three reigns, and they could bear testimony to the excellent lives of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, and from what they could see, they had every reason to believe that George V. would worthily fill the high position to which he had been called. The meeting was an open one. They had no cut and dried scheme, and he hoped that whatever was done would be done with absolute unanimity.

On the suggestion of the Rector, Mr. Claridge gave a short account of what was done at the

Coronation of Edward VII

and said that the amount then subscribed was £180.

The Rector said he imagined the programme as outlined by the chairman, which was carried out with such success last time, would meet with the approval of the meeting, or something on those lines. On a joyous occasion such as the coronation, festivities should take a leading place, and there could be no better way of celebrating the coronation than by trying to make other people happy. But he would like to point out that the coronation was essentially a religious service, and he felt they ought to have a service in their own Parish Church, attended by the Council, with a representative of the Free Churches taking part in the service - (hear, hear) - as one of them did at the memorial service of Edward VII.

Mr. F. Knight moved that they have

A General Holiday

on Thursday, June 22, with tea for the children under 14 years of age, and a meat tea for the old people, finishing up with a bonfire and fireworks display if funds allow.

Mr. Brawn seconded the proposition, which was carried with one dissentient.

Mr. D. Nicholson asked how it was proposed to raise funds, and Mr. Claridge said his feeling was to have a subscription list as last time.

Mr. Nicholson suggested that the Council levy a penny rate. That would be the easiest way of raising funds and it would not debar those who so desired from giving £5 or £10. (Laughter.)

Mr. T. Swindall proposed that the Chairman be authorised to open a public subscription list. He thought it would be a wrong step to levy a special rate. (Hear, hear.) He did not know whether they suffered in Rushden from a lack of people with money, or from a lack of people with money who were generous. (Laughter.) He would like to see somebody come forward who would subscribe to the provision of a public park.

Mr. G. Miller seconded the proposition, which was carried.

The committee was then appointed as follows :- The members of the Council, with Messrs. C. Smith, W. W. Rial, G. Selwood, L. Perkins, S. Saddler, W. H. Marriott, J. S. Mason, W. Walker, W. B. Sanders, A. Wilmott, F. L. Heygate, W. M. Hensman and J. Garley.

The Chairman said they had had a communication from the Rushden Temperance Band to the effect that they had a very good offer for coronation day but preferred to stay at home. As their offer was an extremely reasonable one their services had been retained for the town. (Applause.)

Mr. Rial proposed that a committee be formed to enquire into the provision of

A Public Park

or recreation ground for Rushden as a permanent celebration of King George’s coronation.

Mr. Selwood, in seconding, said he thought it was an occasion upon which a supreme effort should be made to supply that long felt want. (Applause.)

The proposition was carried unanimously, and the committee were appointed as follows :- Messrs. Selwood, Rial (convener), G. S. Mason, Swindall, J. S. Mason, Hensman, J. Claridge, Heygate, F. Knight, and G. Miller.

Mr. L. Perkins proposed and Mr. Rial seconded that the Council be asked from that meeting to see to it that the little triangular park at the south end of the town be kept open from 8 a.m. to sunset.

Considerable discussion followed, but the Chairman refused to put the proposition to the meeting on the ground that it was out of order, but said he had no doubt that the Council would attend to the matter.

Mr. G. Miller said he was sure they would not like the meeting to break up without taking the opportunity of congratulating Mr. Claridge upon his accession to the chairmanship of the Urban Council. (Applause.) He had very much pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Claridge for presiding at the meeting.

Mr. Grohman seconded the proposition which was carried unanimously.