Volume 9 Issue 2 Produced by Rushden Town Council SUMMER 2016

Rushden Town CouncilRushden Hall

Hall ParkRushden

NorthantsNN10 9NG

Telephone: 01933 316216Fax: 01933 315869

Email:clerk@rushdentowncouncil.gov.ukwww.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk

Opening hoursMonday-Thursday 9 am to 5 pm

Friday - 9 am to 4.30 pmTOWN CLERK

Mrs. Vivienne ProdgerSTAFF

Mr. Paul WilcoxAmenities & Contracts Supervisor

Ms. Kerrie BignellFinance Officer

Mrs. Jane PothecaryMrs. Jemma Butler

AdministrationMr. Sean O’Hagan

Site SupervisorMr. Nigel Perry

Parks Maintenance and InspectionMrs Julie Thorneycroft

Town Manager

Rushden ‘matters’

It’s Party Week Again!

From choral, jazz and brass band concerts, afternoon tea with dancing orlive entertainment, there is something for everyone during Party Week 2016.This year’s programme is different to past years as there are more largerevents to tempt you. Have you ever wanted to grow your own vegetables but not quite sure where to start? We can help with expert advice from a garden writer and broadcaster. Maybe you fancy taking up golf. Help is at hand with a lesson to get you started. Don’t forget PARTY IN THE PARK - The one not to be missed! Brochures delivered between 6th and 20th June

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STOP PRESS

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Official Opening of

Skate Ramp

Page 2

Town Manager

Appointed

Page 2

New Town Mayor

Page 3

Alderman Status

for Rushden man

Page 4

Update on Council ProjectsCllr. Sarah Peacock

Town Manager

Julie Thorneycroft has now beenappointed as Town Manager for Rushdenand Higham Ferrers. Julie is employed byRushden Town Council and is funded bySection 106 monies received from LXB.developers of the Rushden Lakes scheme.Julie’s main role is to ensure that Rushdenis economically prosperous, dynamic andforward looking for growth, whilsthighlighting its unique and historiccharacter. Rushden has been identified asa growth area (Rushden East) andsubstantial growth is expected in the nextdecade.

Rushden Lakes is due to be completedin early 2017 and we are keen for the townto capitalise on this. We envisage closeworking with Rushden Lakes managementto develop strategies that will increase thenumber of visitors to the town. The rolewill also include co-ordination anddeveloping the network of existing towngroups, working with all stakeholders toencourage more activity and improve theretail and leisure offering in the town; tolearn from best practices elsewhere andidentify the best use of resources availableto deliver this activity.

Julie lives locally and will spend 75%of her time based in Rushden and theremaining 25% in Higham Ferrers. Shewill be working closely with businesses toensure Rushden remains an interesting andvibrant place to live, work and visit.

Julie can be contacted :By telephone on 07398 986951 or byEmail on Julie@rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk

The start of a new Civic Year alwaysgives us a change to look back on ourachievements and look forward toexciting new projects.

My thanks go to Cllr Kaye Rawlinsand her consorts for their commitmentsto her year as Mayor. I know she has hadan enjoyable time and met some lovelypeople within our community.

Congratulations go to Cllr TraceySmith, our new Mayor, who I am surewill follow in Kaye’s footsteps andsupport the community in any way thatshe can.

We delivered some major projects inJubilee Park namely the new “JimOsborne” changing rooms and the terrificSkate Park. The projects ahead will be noless challenging with the formation of anew Assets Working Party to look atSpencer Park and other Town Councilasset options.

The Neighbourhood plan will moveforward once the call for sites hasfinished in early June. Members will thenbe working on the next draft for publicconsultation in the coming months.

You will hopefully also notice theNEW town logo with the strap line.

‘Rushden, Looking to the Future’. Thiswill appear on ALL Rushden TownCouncil marketing and raise the profileas we work with our new Town ManagerJulie Thorneycroft. Julie will beproducing a three year plan and will soonbecome a familiar face around the town.We wish her good luck.

Finally, thank you to all the townCouncillors who work extremely hard todeliver events and a sound Council. Ilook forward to working with them allover the coming year and againdelivering the goals we set ourselves.

Achievements 2015/16� Skate Park (supported by ENC)� Jubilee Park Changing Room

(Supported by Sport England)� Various improvements to Rushden Hall

and grounds, including re-surfacing ofentrance drive, conservation work onlisted walls, damp proofing andredecorating of parts. Also new roofcover and sides and structural repairs tostage.

� Footpath improvements to dog area,Trafford Park, the Mallards and thecemetery.

� Improvements to smaller parks at RoseAvenue and numerous open spacesaround the town.

� Improved Town signs.� First Aid Training for Staff.

Community Grants AwardedThe Town Council has awarded the

total sum of £10,745 throughout the year2015/16 to the following organisations:

Art Society £395Royal British Legion £350Rushden Maritime Service £400Rushden & Higham Rugby Club

£2000Rushden Hall Ladies £400Rushden Amenities Soc. £200SERVE Older Persons Forum £1500Rushden & Higham United FC £2000SERVE £2500East Northants Child Contact Service £1000

Children from schools involved in theSchool’s Science Cluster were recently setthe challenge of designing a nature trail tobe introduced into Hall Park. All childrenentering the competition received acertificate and a ‘Best Entry’ was judgedfrom each school.The two overall winners were:Poster - Lacey Jade, Yr 1 Willow Class,Whitefriars Infants School andModel - Sophie Williams, South EndInfants School.A Working Party has now been set up whichwill work towards gradually incorporatingsome of the ideas put forward. The entrieswill be available to view in Rushden Hallfrom Thursday 7 July to Saturday 9 July aspart of Rushden ‘Party Week’ from 10 -4.30pm.

Nature Trail Competition

Sunday 4th September

Official Opening ofSkate Ramp

Due to recent bad weather, the officialopening was delayed and will now takeplace on Saturday 16 July. Professionalriders will be in attendance and the TownCouncil would like to thank everyone fortheir patience in waiting for the ramp to befinally officially open.

Saturday 16 JULY

NEW MAYOR APPOINTEDAt the Annual General Meeting of

Rushden Town Council held recently atRushden Hall, Cllr Tracey Smith waselected to the position of Town Mayor forthe year 2016/17. Cllr Smith’s consort forthe year will be her daughter Amy andconsort’s assistant, Cllr Paul Harley.Mayor’s Message…I took over the role of Mayor of Rushden on10th May 2016 and I’m alreadyoverwhelmed by the invitations that havebeen received in the Office.This year I am very honoured to share HerMajesty The Queen’s 90th birthday yearwith many parties in her honour, one ofwhich will have been our own town partywhich took place on 11 June in the WalledGarden. On 9 July we have what will bethe big finish to Rushden Party Week withParty in the Park which keeps gettingbigger and better each year and I amlooking forward to meeting you all there.And finally, my first charity events are‘Proms in the Park’ on 3 Septemberfollowed by ‘Bark in the Park’ on4 September. Please do come and join us.

Mayor’s Cadet Chosen“As I go into my last year as an Air

Cadet, I’m grabbing everything that isthrown my way. The opportunity to be theMayor’s Cadet arose and I jumped at thechance.

It was such an honour to be chosen asthe Mayor’s Cadet for the year as it is notsomething that happens every day. Beingable to represent not only the Mayor, butalso my Squadron, is not something I amgoing to forget.

I’m sure I will have fun attending allthe events around Rushden alongside theMayor during the year, and meeting manynew people along the way.”

Abbie Robinson858 (Rushden) Squadron ATC

Deputy Mayor

Cllr Barbara Jenney was elected tothe position of Deputy Mayor withhusband Cllr David Jenney as her consort.

Spotlight on Rushden(the places, the people and theevents that have shaped where welive)

Herbert Ernest Bates CBE(16 May 1905 - 29 January 1974)

Born in Rushden at 51 Grove Road,Herbert Ernest Bates, better known as H.E. Bates, became one of the mostaccomplished and successful writers ofmodern times.H E Bates developed his love of thecountryside as a child from long walkswith his grandfather, Charles Lucas, andbecame a prolific writer known forstories depicting rural life in and aroundNorthamptonshire. Later his midnightstrolls into the countryside would oftenprovide inspiration for his stories. Hisbest-known works include Love forLydia, The Darling Buds of May, andMy Uncle Silas.The town of Rushden was calledEvensford in Bates' books and 'Love forLydia' was inspired by a visit insideRushden Hall.He continued to write during World WarII, alongside his RAF duties as a writer,under a pseudonym 'Flying Officer X’.His famous wartime novel ‘Fair Stoodthe Wind for France’, published underhis own name, was written at this time.In all, this significant author wrote 126major works, 323 short stories andnovellas, 194 essays, articles,commentaries and introductions; and anumber of poems. Fame came againposthumously in 1991, when his sonRichard produced a television seriesbased on the Pop Larkin family in 'TheDarling Buds of May’, written in 1958.H E Bates was awarded the CBE in June1973 and died in January 1974.

Beacon LightingThe lighting of beacons has a long and

unbroken tradition in this country to unitethe nation in celebrating a special occasion.Over 1000 beacons were lit on the eveningof 21 April 2016 to celebrate the 90thbirthday of Queen Elizabeth II. Rushden’sbeacon stood proud waiting for themoment for local nonagenarian Mr TomOakley to light it, uniting us all in ourheartfelt appreciation of the Queen’slifetime of service to the United Kingdom,the Commonwealth and other Realms.Before the lighting, a special rose bushwas planted and songs including WhiteCliffs of Dover, Rule Britannia and I VowTo Thee My Country were sung by MrsTracey Barker. Cake and bubbly wassupplied and a poem especially writtenwas read for the toast. A message fromHRH Prince Charles had also beenreceived which was read by the Mayor.

The MallardsOne of the fishing platforms at The

Mallards has recently been vandalised.If anyone has information regarding

this, please contact Rushden Town Councilon 01933 316216 or emailcontracts@rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk

Deadline for next edition is 20 AUGUST 2016

COMMUNITY NEWS

Registered in 2010, the Swivel Clubis a local charity which provides help andsupport for individuals and good causesin the community. Almost £80,000 hasbeen donated to date to those who findthey need help or assistance to overcomehealth and mobility problems. They raisefunds by holding music events at RushdenTown Bowls Club with live acts thatprovide good entertainment at reasonableprices and have many loyal supporterswho attend regularly. The Committeemembers are all volunteers and expensesare paid only for the essential running ofthe club. Raffle prizes for the eventswould always be most welcome as woulddonations either through legacies or othermeans.

The Swivel Club is looking for localbusinesses who wish to help with thegrowth and development of thisworthwhile local charity. The vision isthat the charity will provide anopportunity (for a nominal fee) forcompanies to advertise through them, atthe same time as helping the club toexpand and continue to help those in need.On Wednesday 17th August from 6 pmthe Swivel Club are having a promotionalevening at Rushden Town Bowls Cluband invite any interested parties to attendto see the work of the Club but also toconsider the proposition for futureadvertising.

To book a place for the evening or toleave a message regarding any of theabove, please use the contact page on thewebsite www.swivelclub.org.uk andleave a message for Colin Wright. If youknow of someone who you feel TheSwivel Club could help, please contactthem.

‘Turning Lives Around’Alderman StatusMr Clive Wood has been granted the

status of Honorary Alderman at the recentAnnual General Meeting of EastNorthamptonshire District Council alongwith three other ex-councillors, inrecognition of their exceptional service ascouncillors and to their respectivecommunities.

Having spent 35 years on EastNorthamptonshire Council, Clive is oneof the few councillors to have beenChairman twice. He was also Chair of theEnvironmental Service committee whichintroduced the dog warden service to thedistrict. His passion for EastNorthamptonshire has shone through inhis work with the Campaign to ProtectRural England, with East MidlandsMuseum Service and as a governor atthree schools.

He was also instrumental in savingRushden Hall from demolition in 1965and steering the formative years ofRushden Town Council from the year2000. He became the first Mayor ofRushden from 2000-2002.

He is a member of many societieswithin Rushden and has dedicated mostof his life to his home town.

Many congratulations AldermanWood - a most deserved accolade.

Further Information available on www.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk

MUSIC IN THE PARKWALLED GARDEN

3 - 5 PM

Sunday 13th AUGUSTThe Old Speckled Men

Sunday 18th SEPTEMBERCounty Youth Brass Band

Party Week including Party in the ParkParty Week commences on Friday 1 July with the ever popular Soap Box Derby

which this year is being sponsored by King Tools Ltd. Entry forms are still availableand can be obtained from Rushden Town Council. Judging by the Mayor is from6.30 pm and race heats commence at 7 pm.

Altogether there are around 30 FREE events during the week and we hope that wecan at least tempt you to attend one or more of what we feel is an amazing programme.

Once again, Party in the Park has some great entertainment for your enjoymentwith a dog display with a difference - an informal display from an ‘all breeds’ teamand one not to be missed for the children. The sight of a marching band is always anattraction and the kilt-clad highlanders play a variety of brass and woodwindinstruments complimented by a very versatile drum corps. There is also a fullafternoon’s programme of performances on the stage by local artistes and Rushden’sown ‘Them’s The Brakes’ supporting the main act ‘The Great Pretender’, a tribute tothe late Freddie Mercury and an obvious choice being our own Queen’s birthday year.

This is the one occasion of the year when charities benefit from large crowds andyour generosity will help greatly to swell the coffers for their causes.

All details of ‘What’s On’ can be found in the Party Week brochure which will bedelivered to every home in Rushden during the first 2 weeks of June.

The 2016 Soldiering On Awardswinners were officially announced recentlyat a ceremony at the Park PlazaWestminster Bridge Hotel, London, bytelevision and radio presenter Jeremy Vineand actress Vicki Michelle with actressAmanda Redman on hand to present theawards. Among the winners was AnnKadiri of Rushden who founded the RoyalBritish Legion Rushden Branch Friendshipand Companionship Group to provideveterans and members of the Armed Forcescommunity who may be living a lonelyexistence, with a kind word and smile; theirgroup has created a community of hopeand support through open arms.

Soldiering On Award

Ann Kadiri with her award

Ory Anthony in Rushden High Streetwhich offers the Next Level of HairDesign for Men has recently been voted

‘Northamptonshire’s Best Salon 2016’ in acompetition organised by the Herald &Post. The award came on the 2ndanniversary of Ory Anthony opening inRushden.

Best in Northamptonshire