RUSHDEN ‘matters’

Produced by Rushden Town Council AUTUMN 2018 Volume 11 Issue 3

Rushden Town Council Rushden Hall in the Park - 1st Sept Hall Park Rushden Northants Proms in the Park has now NN10 9NG established itself as one of the major fundraising events for the Mayors’ Telephone: 01933 316216 to host for their charities. This year Fax: 01933 315869 will be no exception as we welcome Email: back the award winning Rushden [email protected] Town Band to play for us. Staged in www.rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk the Walled Garden it promises to be Opening hours a wonderful evening of music and Monday-Thursday 9 am to 5 pm merriment for all to enjoy. Gates Friday - 9 am to 4.30 pm will be open from 6 pm onwards for TOWN CLERK you to set up your tables and chairs Vivienne Prodger and enjoy your picnics before the STAFF performance. Admission is £5 (Inc. Paul Wilcox Union Flag) at the gate on the night. Amenities & Contracts Supervisor Please note dogs will not be permitted on Kerrie Bignell the site, except for guide or support dogs. Finance Officer Jemma Butler Nicola Gibson Administration in the Park - 2nd Sept Sean O’Hagan Site Supervisor For the 4th year in succession, Nigel Perry ‘Bark in the Park’ is now a firm Parks Maintenance and Inspection Julie Thorneycroft favourite as yet another Annual Town Manager charity event for the Mayor’s charities. Sponsored by Destination * Pet and supported by local * * *STOP * * PRESS* * * * businesses, dogs can be entered into various classes including ‘The * * * * * * * * * * Prettiest Bitch’, ‘Most Handsome Dog’, ‘Best Rescue and many more. Policy & ResourcesPage 2 Committee Each class is £1 entry and winners ResponsibilitiesPage 2 of RTC will receive prizes and rosettes. Again in the Walled Garden, NeighbourhoodPage 3 Plan registration takes place from 10 am Bernard Vann VC Page 4 onwards.

Vehicles can be parked in the park from the Hall Avenue entrance at both events.

@RushdenCouncil Responsibilities of Rushden Update on Council Projects Town Council Cllr. Sarah Peacock * Bus Shelters - Skinners Hill x 2, Rectory Road, High Street/Station Road In June we saw the Women’s Tour descend on Rushden and create a wonderful * Cemeteries and Churchyards – Newton spectacle through Hall Park and the High Street. Following this later in the month the Road Cemetery (maintenance and British Legion Armed Forces weekend delivered a great parade and a superb selection administration of burials) St Mary’s of badges designed by local children. This was followed by a lovely service on the Churchyard (some maintenance) Sunday for all those serving in the Armed Forces past and present. * Christmas Lights display in the High Street Once again we have delivered a fantastic Party in the Park and a big thank you to * Church Clock – Maintenance of St Mary’s all those on the Events Committee and those who played a part on a very hot day. People Church Clock do not realise the effort that goes into the day many months before. From the pictures * Consultees on Local Planning Proposals of the Mayor, high in the cherry picker and Planning Policy conducting the audience, to residents * Civic Duties – The Mayor carries out civic enjoying the Complete Kinks it was a very duties in and around the local area entertaining day for all who attended. * Community events and entertainment – On the following Monday we managed Party in the Park, Music in the Park, Proms to go live on BBC Radio Northampton with in the Park, Bark in the Park dog show and Christmas entertainment Helen Blaby and once again delivered a * CCTV – Maintenance of the CCTV superb picture of the Hall Park and what it cameras within the High Street and Hall Park. has to offer. We were able to make a special * Environmental Services – The Town announcement that RTC had been awarded Council funds a part time Environmental its 5th Green Flag. The Green Flag Award® Services Officer to enforce Litter and Dog scheme recognises and rewards well Control legislation. Provision and managed parks and green spaces, setting the management of some litter bins and dog bins. benchmark standard for the management of * Footway lighting – maintenance of some recreational outdoor spaces across the footway lighting within the town and around the world. * Floral displays – provision and Thank you to all the staff involved in maintenance of flower beds situated on our working so hard on our jewel in the crown land and provision and maintenance of and the work on all our open spaces that is Hanging Baskets and Barrier Baskets within carried out throughout the year. This year the High Street and College Street being exceptionally challenging with the hot * Grant Aid – funding for local organisations weather! Once again we were supported by * Grounds Maintenance of all Town Council South End Infant school who were treated owned parks and open spaces to a special reading of Squirrel Nutkin by * Grass Verges – maintenance of grass none other than our town Mayor Cllr David verges on behalf of Coleman and watched by our very own County Council. “Cyril” the squirrel in the new open air * Newsletter – Production of ‘Rushden classroom. Once again thank you to all those Matters’ newsletter councillors and colleagues who took part in * To manage and maintain parks, open the afternoon. We are unique as a council spaces and play area within the Town and our motto ‘Looking to the Future’ has * Promotion of Town – Mayoral duties, never been truer. Tourism working party, and support for Rushden Town Council can be proud Rushden Town Partnership of the various projects we continue to move * Public Conveniences – Hall Park, Duck forward and we are making positive steps Street Car Park and Newton Road to get new projects up and running. The Assets WP are busy putting together a grant * Rushden Hall – Maintenance and application to finalise the improvements to Spencer Park and working with Freedom Management of Rushden Hall including Leisure on various outdoor activities. The Explorer events are now getting off the ground administration of bookings and weddings. * Shop Front Improvement Grants – to and provide fun for all the family in the parks. provide grants for improvements to shop We are working with various bodies to deliver many great projects to improve the fronts within the town. town and its future. These include the Nenescape project, Rushden East, The Sports Hub * Sports provision – Maintenance and and the Greenway. management of rugby pitches at Manor Park, We have some large planning applications to consider in the next few months and, and Jubilee Park. Maintenance and some will be very emotive. As usual this council will give them full deliberation and management of football pitches and weigh them up against the current planning policies and our local Neighbourhood Plan. changing rooms at Jubilee Park and Spencer We need to be balanced and get the best from these applications to ensure our town Park. moves forward and benefits from any development. * Street Furniture – provision of street Despite all negativity regarding the County Council and uncertainty the proposed furniture and seating in within the town. unitary authorities may bring, Rushden Town Council is totally committed to * Walled Garden, Hall Park – Maintenance maintaining the services and assets we are currently responsible for. We will continue and management of events held within the to maintain our own Parks and Open Spaces, Rushden Hall and Newton Road Cemetery walled garden and to deliver community projects and events in these challenging times. We are * War Memorial – Maintenance of war ‘Looking to the Future’ with a positive and hopeful attitude! memorial in High Street South NEWS FROM THE MAYOR Neighbourhood Plan Town Manager’s Report Cllr David Coleman Thank you to all those who contributed Julie Thorneycroft to the Rushden Neighbourhood Plan. The On Saturday 28th July Rushden Lakes public consultations and stakeholder celebrated its first birthday; throughout the involvement ensured the Plan accurately year over 4.5 million visitors have enjoyed reflects the aspirations of the local shopping, eating and exploring the community. surrounding Nene Valley Wetlands nature A massive 85% of Rushden residents reserve. Over the last 12 months we have who voted recognised the importance of formed good working relationships with having a strong Neighbourhood Plan and the centre management team at the Lakes voted for the Plan at the referendum held and together we are moving forwards to on 24th May 2018. Rushden’s provide tangible links between Rushden, Neighbourhood Plan has duly been adopted Higham Ferrers and Rushden Lakes. We by East Northamptonshire Council and will meet on a regular basis and are working on Since May, my first few months have now be used as part of the planning process. various campaigns and projects to promote flown by and I’m pleased that it has been It provides a powerful tool to help protect, the local towns to the wider audience. such a busy but enjoyable and rewarding preserve and improve our Town. Joint projects include the promotion time. The mayoral diary continues to be An independent Planning Inspector, of both towns and their many events full and over the coming months, I look who examined the Plan before it proceeded through the use of the Community Notice forward to further opportunities of to referendum stage, stated: board situated at the Lakes. New maps, representing our Town across the wider “I would particularly wish to Town Guides, heritage trails and area. However, more importantly, I have congratulate Rushden Town Council and competitions have been created by the local the prospect of meeting and supporting as their professional consultants, on councils to encourage new visitors to many organisations and individuals within producing such a clear and concise, locally explore the existing towns; copies are Rushden itself. distinct Neighbourhood Plan. It is a readily available to pick up from the Lakes. Recent highlights have been too many coherent policy document that seeks to Social media feeds and local web sites are to fully detail here. There is certainly address the challenges that are facing the also shared between the Councils and always a lot going on in Rushden and I town over the next decade as it grows in Rushden Lakes. A series of events held must mention “Celebrate Rushden” week, accordance with its designation as a within House of Fraser has enabled local spotlighting much that is good in our Growth Town. It will form a sound basis businesses an opportunity to trade to a community. I managed to attend 31 events for determining planning applications into much wider audience. Business to business during the week and it was a pleasure to the future.” links have also been created meaning local meet so many dedicated and hard-working suppliers can demonstrate their wares, individuals and organisations from across supply produce to new cafes and make the Town. The start of the 2nd stage of the excellent use of commercial space OVO Energy Women’s Cycle tour from available at the Lakes. Hall Park was certainly a coup bringing our Forthcoming partnership events will town to national prominence. The annual see a Heritage Family Fun Day on “Party in the Park” during July again proved Sunday 16th September at Rushden to be a great success and I would like to Lakes, this event is taking place as part of pass on my personal thanks to all the the Nene Valley Festival and the National volunteers behind the scenes for their Community Grants Heritage open weekends, the day is unstinting hard work to bring the event June 2018 supported by Rushden Lakes and will bring together. Rushden Town Band - £2500 together an array of interesting local Forthcoming months will see a July 2018 information about Rushden and Higham’s number of highlights, including my Rushden Hall Ladies - £400 heritage, performances from Rushden Mayor’s charity fundraising events . These Shop Front Grants Town Band, fun entertainment, displays, commence shortly with the excellent June 2018 activities and a chance to meet both Cyril Rushden Town Band entertaining us at Babies Galore Rushden Ltd - £500 the Squirrel (Rushden Towns Council’s “Proms in the Park” on Saturday 1st July 2018 mascot). As part of the event we are September with the much anticipated Saje Jewellery - £258 working with local businesses in Rushden “Bark in the Park” Dog Show on the Vegan House - £500 and Higham Ferrers to produce a booklet following day. We shortly have the Civic Halfyard’s Hairdressers - £500 full of “shop local” discounts which can be Opening of Rushden Feast on Friday 14th Free From Pantry Ltd - £500 redeemed in Rushden and Higham Ferrers September followed by my Civic Service We are pleased to report that we have throughout the autumn. at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 23rd awarded five Shop Front Improvement Rushden based children’s charity September. Dare I mention it but following Grants since April this year. We are very Spurgeons are holding a Katakanu the wonderful summer weather, the supportive of both existing and new Challenge, Splash & Dash on Sunday Christmas lights switch-on is not that far businesses in Rushden and are delighted September 30th at Rushden Lakes. As part off – put Saturday 24th November in your that three new businesses, Vegan House, of the event we are working with diary. Free From Pantry Ltd and Halfyard’s Spurgeons and the Lakes to create a If any town organisation or individuals Hairdressers have now opened in the town. ‘Village Fete’ feel to the boardwalk area for need my support, please get in touch via In these difficult times for retailers it is visitors to enjoy. There will be the Mayor’s Secretary, tel. 01933 316216 good to see people are still prepared to take opportunities for local businesses to or [email protected] the plunge and open new businesses in promote themselves and have a stand for Rushden and the Town Council is keen to the day. offer appropriate support where possible. Information: [email protected] COMMUNITY NEWS Bernard Vann VC Memorial Day Bernard Vann VC A special Memorial Day in honour of local war hero Bernard Vann VC will be ‘His Life’ held on Saturday 29 September 2018. The event being organised by Rushden Branch Royal British Legion and supported by Rushden Town Council commences with a parade at 12 midday to Rushden War Memorial when a short Service of Remembrance will take place with the laying of wreaths. A commemorative pave-stone will be unveiled by his two grandsons. The parade will then march to Hall Park, Rushden. Following a break for refreshments, the Memorial Day will be marked further by performances by the world-renowned Brentwood Imperial Youth Band, Northamptonshire Male Voice Choir, and finally a performance by drama students from Rushden Academy depicting life in the trenches of WW1. Rushden Hall will be open on the day and representatives of various military charities will also be present, not to mention the Regimental Mascot of the Mercian Lieutenant Colonel Reverend Bernard Regiment – Private Derby 32nd (a Swaledale ram). William Vann VC MC & Bar (1887-1918) This memorable day marks the 100th anniversary of the awarding of the Victoria Born on 9 July 1887 in Rushden, Cross to Bernard Vann and will provide a fitting tribute to a great hero from Rushden. Northamptonshire and died in France on 3 Rushden Museum will have family artefacts on display just for the day and will October 1918. An ordained Church of be open for viewing once the parade reaches Hall Park. England clergyman, Vann won the Victoria For brief details of this remarkable man’s life, see article on the right. Cross, and Bar, and Croix de Guerre during the First World War before being shot by a sniper just five Anti-social Task Group weeks before the Armistice in 1918. Is Seeing Results Medal entitlement of A / Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Vann 1 / 8th Bn, A task group, set up by East : Northamptonshire Council (ENC), * working in partnership with Rushden * Military Cross ( MC ) & Bar Town Council, to tackle the increase in * 1914-15 Star anti-social behaviour in Rushden have * ( 1914-20 ) already seen a positive impact to the town * Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) centre. * Croix de Guerre ( France ) Mainly centred on the war memorial at the end of the High Street, Rushden Town Council had seen a rise in complaints regarding people heavily drinking, urinating in public and drug taking. The task group, including local retailers, churches, Rushden Night Shelter, Homes Direct and Northamptonshire The Victoria Cross medal group is currently on Police, looked at ways to tackle the display in the 's Lord Ashcroft problem and have already made changes Gallery. ( Bernard Vann's WWI Trio are missing from the group ). Happy Birthday Peggy! to the area. Improvements to the war memorial Bernard Vann’s 31 years encompassed and other sites around the town have been talented local amateur footballer, made, and Northamptonshire Police have schoolmaster, county hockey player, a conducted pro active patrols in the area Cambridge blue, undergraduate, school which has resulted in a number of arrests and inspired infantry officer. for public disorder. Four people have been As a fighting soldier, he continued to issued community protection warning attend to his clerical duties when he could letters. One of the prohibitions attached to – standing in for the chaplain at church the warning letters is not to drink alcohol parades, administering Holy Communion at the War Memorial. and reading the burial service on occasions ENC’s housing team and local in no man’s land when bodies could not be homelessness organisations have been recovered. Locals amongst us will remember Mrs working with people who need and want Bernard was awarded the Victoria Peggy Strickland who founded the Court help. We encourage anyone who needs Cross for an outstanding act of valour at Estate Children’s Nursery many years ago. support and advice on housing to contact the Battle of Bellenglise on 29 September Peggy reached the grand age of 100 years Homes Direct on 0345 600 5050. There is 1918. In the extraordinary victory, the 46th recently and was visited at the care home also help available at the Rushden Night North Midland Division stormed across the where she now resides by the Mayor and Shelter on 01933 353946 or visit them at St Quentin Canal and breached the Mayoress Cllrs. David and Melanie 60 High Street South. Hindenburg Line – capturing 70 guns and Coleman. She spent the afternoon back at 4,000 prisoners. It was perhaps the greatest the family farm with relatives and friends success of any Territorial formation in the to celebrate the occasion.. war. We wish her “Many Congratulations”.