Rushden Baptist Recreation Club - The Annual Business Meeting – A Successful Year
The annual meeting of the Park-road Baptist Recreation Club was held on Feb 11th in the Assembly Room, the Rev J A Sutherland presiding, supported by the secretary (Mr Horace Wright), the assistant secretary (Mr G E Bayes), and the treasurer (Mr J F Knight). An apology was received from Mr C A K Green.

There was a good attendance of members.
In his report, Mr Wright reminded members that that was his seventh. He acknowledged his great indebtedness to Mr G E Bayes for invaluable services rendered in businesslike manner. Their past year’s activities had been similar to other years and no doubt thousands would like the same opportunity. The different sports sections had kept up their membership fairly well. Although the playing had not brought any gold vases or wooden spoons—(Laughter) some brilliant performances had been put up by cricket players, at least one of whom would be expected to beat the Australians. (Laughter) The weather had been fairly kind to them. The Tennis Club had enjoyed the use of two stop-nets. The seating accommodation had been improved. They were looking forward to the time when the Tennis Club would have their own courts. They were all proud that one of their members had been elected one of their City Fathers. (Hear, hear) They would assure him that the honour was shared by all the members. The members much regretted the loss through death of two supporters in Mr C E Bayes and Mr Wm Green. A number of improvements would be wanted, costing about £100. They had six acres of ground and it was used by about 100 people for probably four months of the year. They had to consider whether they were making the best use of the ground. He concluded with thanks to Mr J F Knight and to the groundsman (Mr Walter Webb).

Mr Knight presented the balance sheet, which showed receipts: Cash in hand at beginning of year £22/4/10, crickets subscriptions £16/13/3, vice-president’s donations £8, special effort per Mr W Sherwood for the field purchase scheme £7, profit on teas £3/15/0, tennis £24/3/3, social £14/8/0/, with other items a total of £99/6/10. After expenditure had been met there was a balance of £36/19/9 at the bank.

Satisfactory reports were presented on behalf of the various sections; tennis, cricket, football, and refreshment.

Officers were elected: President, Rev J A Sutherland; vice-presidents, re-elected with the addition of Messrs F J Sharwood, J Jones, Eli Wright, A Gramshaw, and E L Brightwell; treasurer, Mr J F Knight; secretary, Mr Horace Wright; assistant secretary, Mr G E Bayes (with hearty thanks to all the three latter for services rendered); collectors, Mrs J Sykes and Mrs L Allen; general committee to be elected by the various sections, tennis and cricket to have ten representatives each.