Rushden Hall and Grounds were formally opened to the public on 20 September 1930. It was at a Council Meeting on 5 March 1930 that it was decided to accept the offer of Mr. Morris Wheeler of Bexley, Kent to sell the remainder of the estate for £5,000. Mr. Wheeler had purchased the estate from the Sartoris Family, and the Porter’s Lodge had already been sold on. However, it was thought there would be no difficulty in the Council acquiring the property subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health.
It was decided to keep the grounds as a leisure park rather than a recreation ground for sports etc.
Some of the councillors had doubts about the purchase and Mr. Claridge thought the public ought to know how much they would have to spend. He was unsure what use the Hall could be put to, and in that respect he was partly right. There were times when no-one seemed to know what to do with it, and in later years, especially in the 1960s, it was in danger of being demolished. Fortunately it was saved by the efforts of the Amenities Society and is now well used.
On the day of the Opening rain threatened to spoil the event but fortunately stopped in time for the procession from Spencer Park. This included Girl Guides, Scouts, 4 of the town Bands, and the Fire Brigade. There were the usual speeches, tea in the Hall for the VIPs, and in the evening balloons were released from the grounds.
Since being purchased by the Council the Hall and Grounds have been, and still are, used for town events and celebrations. Band concerts were given on Sunday afternoons from the band stand, but as that no longer exists, concerts take place in the walled garden.
The Band Stand was presented to the town in 1936 by Mr. John White to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935. It was rebuilt in the 1980s and was burnt down on 31 October, 1997.
A programme for Rushden Carnival in June 1960
The first Cavalcade was held in the Hall Park in 1979
This cup and saucer were made by Mr. Fred Smith of Rushden, from the wood of a Burr Chestnut tree which had been felled in the park
Quote from Dr. Greenfield at the meeting in March 1930:-
“I feel that in purchasing Rushden Hall and setting it aside for posterity as a public park, and not as a recreation ground, we shall be doing one of the best things we possibly could for the town. We have open spaces, but we have no spaces such as could be used well for mothers of children, and for little children themselves to play in, also for people to walk about with pleasure on Sunday afternoons. I venture to say that if we get the sanction for the purchase of this estate, we shall have one of the finest parks of any town in the country. I feel that, although it will cost us money and some expense, we cannot do better at the present time than purchase this place. Without it, Rushden would be a very different place from what it must be when the public have free access to the Hall grounds. I venture to suggest it will improve our town beyond recognition, and I believe that future generations will rise and bless us for what we have done, although that will not make much difference to us then.”
He was right. The Hall and Park are a great asset to Rushden. The Park is beautiful in all seasons, and both are well maintained by Rushden Town Council and well used and appreciated by the people of Rushden.
The avenue in winter, with St. Mary’s Church in the distance