In August 1942, 1943 and 1944 Rushden Council organised a Fete Week with entertainments held in the grounds of Rushden Hall. The first week in August was when the shoe factories closed for the annual holiday and in normal times a lot of Rushden residents would head to the coast. During war time this wasn’t possible so the Holiday at Home Fete Week was held instead. The idea was to raise money for local charities and in 1942 almost £2,000 was raised.
Rushden Hall and Grounds
In 1943 there were high hopes that the same amount could be raised and a week of events was organised, some repeats of the previous year and some new. Lady Nunburnholme was booked to open the first day’s events on the Monday, and after the speeches she was the first person in the stocks. As it was a Bank Holiday no charge could be made for admission to the grounds, but young ladies in old-style costumes took a heavy collection at the entrances.
Among the events of the first day were two variety performances, a market, a large open-air whist drive held in front of Rushden Hall, musical games, a treasure hunt and a rabbit show organised by the Rushden and District Poultry and Rabbit Club. Other events during the week included dancing displays, sports, dog show, flower show, rides on ponies and frequent concerts by the Temperance and Town Bands.
Rushden Hall
We have recently had one of the original programmes donated to Rushden Museum, and this is pictured below.
The two “mystery men” were at large, and although back-view pictures of them appeared in the printed programme, as seen above, they had a long run before being identified. They were correctly challenged by Mrs. Arnsby, Mrs. Jones, Miss P. Webb and Master David Clark, each of whom won a golden half-sovereign.
The Mystery Men were Messrs. Alfred Gray and R. R. Lawrence.
The 1943 Fete Week, after all expenses were paid, raised £1,750 to be distributed to local charities and war funds.