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Charles Bull c1900
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Charles was born in a cottage that stood at the junction of Little Street and Bedford Road, in 1854, son of James Bull of Wymington & Eliza (nee Wells) his wife from Souldrop. In 1861 they were living in Linnitts Lane with their growing family of Eliza, Charles, Henry John, Martha and baby George just two months old. They added two more children to their family, John in 1863 and Mary in 1864. In about 1866 the family moved to No. 19 Little Street, opposite the Old Baptist Chapel or ‘Top Meeting’.
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The factory in Park Road
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Charles married Hannah Wrighton, daughter of John who came from Wellingborough and married Ann Cox in 1850 at St Mary’s Church in Rushden. In Park Road, Charles set up in partnership with Alfred Clayton making boots & shoes, in the building later used by the Echo & Argus as their printing works.
Charles was a supporter of the Liberal Party and a loyal supporter of F. A. Channing M.P., an active member of the Temperance movement in Rushden, a prominent member of the Wesleyan Church where he was also a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Band of Hope.
He was an all-round sportsman and belonged to several clubs including the Independent Wesleyan gymnastic club and the Fosse Sports club where he played football, hockey and cricket. He once took 9 wickets without conceding a run! Both Charles and his brother George played for the Northamptonshire Cricket Club when J. P. Kingston was captain.
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The cricket ball used in 1880
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The two brothers died from T.B. as did many other shoe workers; Charles at 48 years old in 1902 and his brother at just 32 in 1893.
The cottage where Charles was born was demolished and the plot of ground was later was made into a memorial garden to Fred Knight in 1908/9.
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