In April 1944, at the monthly meeting of Rushden Urban District Council, it was reported that the Rushden Library committee had considered a list of periodicals and papers purchased for the reading and magazine rooms at an annual cost of £45 14s 8d and decided that twelve of the publications should not be purchased for the following year. This would be a saving of £11 4s 4d.
This caused quite a stir in the town, although the chairman of the committee, Mr. Richardson, pointed out that there had been a lot of grumbling because the committee had overspent. The object of the decision was to save money for the purchase of new books. After much arguing at the Council meeting it was decided that the Library committee should reconsider the entire list of cancellations with a view to re-instating some of the publications.
In May 1944 the Rushden Echo and Argus reported that the Library committee proposed to reinstate five them, if they could be obtained. The five were “Housewife,” “British Weekly,” “Christian World,” “Church of England Newspaper,” and “Sketch.” They also proposed to add “Blackwood’s Magazine” which had not previously been provided.
From the 1942 issue. How do you choose a colour scheme from a black and white picture??
From the 1943 issue. What the young people wanted was a good job and a home to be proud of.
At the Council meeting in May 1956 it was reported that the United Counties Bus Company could not see its way to contribute towards a passenger shelter at the Boundary Avenue stop in Irchester Road. Mr. Brown claimed that the stop was used by a lot of people who were entitled to some shelter, but Mrs. Lean said that the Highways Committee felt that if a shelter was built there, many more would be demanded in other parts of the town. There is still no shelter at the bus stop in Irchester Road!
United Counties Time Table
United Counties Fuel Rationing
In May 1959 a contract was agreed with F. and R. Windsor Ltd., for the erection of eight houses in Rose Avenue, at a cost of £11,340, and the Housing Committee were planning the development of Grafton Road with the erection of 62 dwellings, including ten bungalows and 16 flats.
Houses and flats in Rose Avenue
Bungalows in Grafton Road
In May 1963 at the meeting of the Urban Council the Surveyor was instructed to arrange for a survey to be made of the current position with regard to council houses with no electrical points other than ordinary lighting points, commencing with four and five bedroom houses.
Mrs. D. E. Shrives, chairman of the housing committee, said that some people were still using an iron from the ceiling, which was dangerous.
The Housing Committee reported that council house rent arrears on April 25 stood at £543 17s 2d.
Some old electrical fittings from the Rushden Museum collection