Welcome to Rushden, Hertfordshire

Rushden is a tiny village of about 200 population located in North Hertfordshire. Many of the properties date back to the 16th century and there are a few ghosts that wander around every so often. No shops are left, but we still have a church and a pub, both of which are at the centre of the community. Click here for some of our ghost stories.

N.B. If left hand menu does not show click here

Please remember that this is YOUR village website and it cannot function without you. No single person is responsible for updating it. We need to hear from everyone who has something to say or would like to let us know about events in the village. webmaster@rushdenherts.org.uk

The News in Rushden last updated: Monday, July 26, 2010 06:44 PM

WESTON MUSIC SOCIETY

We start our series while still in the summer holiday season. Berta Rojas, the celebrated Paraguayan guitarist is visiting the UK from her home in Washington DC to play at the annual guitar festival at West Dean. We have invited her to give her only other UK recital here at Weston on Friday 20th August at 7.30 pm. Please note the day of the week, determined by her West Dean commitment. Our flyer is attached. Tickets are already on sale; do please book your seats with Felicity Lowe (01462 790573).

click on image for larger version

Brian Littlechild will be cycling for Beds and Herts Historic Churches trust and at the same time raising money for St Mary’s Rushden. If you would like to sponsor him please get in touch.

CHURCH FARM

click here to see 23rd July 2010 newsletter of all the things that are happening including information about our “Taste the Farm” BBQ at the Jolly Waggoner Pub, as well as plenty of news from the farm, café, store and rural care.

The Church Farm, Ardeley Café is open everyday. Weekdays: 10am-6pm. Weekends: 8am-6pm

Don’t forget to pop into our Farm Store for fresh, local produce, organic fruit and vegetables, free range high welfare meat all reared on the Farm, fresh bread, pork pies, eggs, dairy and much more. Open Weekdays: 8am-6pm. Weekends: 8am-8pm or more information about any of our programmes,

please contact Faye on 01438 861 447 or faye@churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Click here for archived newsletters.

Annual Sponsored Bike ‘n Hike Sat 11^th September in aid of Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust.

St Mary’s is looking for people prepared to take part in this annual event. You can cycle or walk around the churches in your area and raise money for our church and the Trust. If you are willing to take part please contact Chris Whitton on 288357 or Betty Keys on 852 388. The church will also be looking for people prepared to join the rota to greet and sign visitors to St Mary’s on the day.

The National Federation of Women's Institutes is encouraging members to take part in a group triathlon. This can be done in sections. We are hoping all members will take part. Ann Warner has suggested that an Orwell walk around Wallington could be used to make up our mileage followed of course by a WI tea!

SANDON GARDENERS' CLUB meets every 2nd Monday of the Month at Sandon Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. although we sometimes have outside visits.

Monday 9 August 2010 - Garden Visit

For further information please contact Tony Barker 01763 288416 or email tonybarker324@btinternet.com

If you have an interest in Gardening come along and join us, new members are always welcome.

Click here for the Sandon Gardeners' Club Website and future talks and events

RUSHDEN GAMES NIGHT-12 August 2010

(every second Thursday of the month)

A REGULAR GAMES NIGHT EACH MONTH IN THE VILLAGE HALL WITH TABLE TENNIS, DARTS, TABLE FOOTBALL, AND BOULES (weather permitting)

Cost will be £20 per night in total while we do not have the heating on- so, depending on numbers, cost should be £2 to £3 each per night.

Please come along to support the Village Hall, and have some fun!

More information from Brian - 07505 113533 or Dave - 0791 7248872"

French classes for the coming term will be held on Monday 13^th September, 11^th October and 15^th November 2010 at 8pm. Cost is £21 for the three classes. We have a qualified native French speaker as our tutor and would love to welcome more people to our class. If you would like to find out more phone 01763 288393.

WESTON MUSIC SOCIETY

Our AGM for our society’s members will be on Friday 24th September 2010, at The Old Vicarage, Church Lane, Weston, at 7.30 pm. An agenda will be circulated.

Here are some more postcards of old Rushden which were once kept in Redfearn's shop on Roe Green. With thanks to the Hoefkens.

CLICK HERE to view them.

Parish Council Meetings

click here for highlights of the Parish Council Meeting 27 January 2010

Come to a Tapas Night at Rushden Village Hall on Saturday, 11 September 2010

WESTON MUSIC SOCIETY

On Saturday 9th October we welcome the Aurora Ensemble, one of the UK’s leading wind quintets. Their varied programme will range from Reicha and Mozart to Gershwin and Jim Parker.

A Quiz Night at Rushden Village Hall Friday, 29 October 2010

Eva Whitton led all her listeners on the most fascinating tour of India when she came to speak to the WI at the 25 July meeting. She had brought many beautiful examples of the arts and crafts of the different regions that she had visited.

Iconography Class

Led by Juliet Venter at the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, Weston

Dates

Beginners 2-7^th August 2010 Morning sessions are 10.00 - 12.30pm

Afternoon sessions are 2.00 - 4.30pm

Saturday – morning only

Advanced 9-14^th August 2010 Morning sessions are from 10.00 - 12.30pm

Afternoon sessions are from 2.00 - 4.30pm

Saturday – morning only

Participants will attend a total of six tutored sessions. You may book mornings or afternoons, or do a double session on one day, according to your schedule. Please enrol for either the beginners or advanced class.

Course content

Anybody can join, you don’t need to be an artist or talented at painting. During the week participants will work from an image of their own choosing and create an icon using egg tempera paint and gold leaf. The ‘advanced’ class is for those with a little experience or who attended the beginners’ class last year.

Cost

£50

Materials to bring

Paint brushes – round watercolour brushes with a good point, at least one fine (0) and one larger (2-4). Also a small, inexpensive brush for shellac, size etc.

Old tea towel and old soft handkerchief to protect the panel and to wipe brushes
Paint palette with small wells – or an ice cube tray

Jam jar for rinsing water

Small jar or pot with secure lid

Small water bottle

Drawing equipment: - sharp pencil, ruler, eraser, compass/dividers (available to borrow)

*You will also need a gessoed board: bring one or choose from various sizes and prices when booking

*A set of pigments: Provided for an extra charge of £5.

If you are interested, e-mail or telephone Rev Silke Tetzlaff (silke.tetzlaff@virgin.net, tel 01462 790330 )

The WI summer outing is to Henlow Dog Track on 19^th August 2010. Cost is £8.50 to include a fish and chip supper.

Sandon Growers' Market - 21 August 2010

Our next WI meeting is on Thursday 16^th September at Wallington when Steve Ruff will give his second talk on The Buntingford Branch Line.

On 30th September 2010 at Baldock Community Centre at 7.30pm, Rushden WI are hosts to the group meeting when Tom Doig will speak on Witchcraft in Hertfordshire. Tickets are £3. Rushden WI members will need to provide the tea so if you are able to help out would you please let our President know what you will be making. The competition is for an item made from recycled materials.

WESTON MUSIC SOCIETY

On Saturday 27th November we have our second concert for lovers of the guitar, given by the Vida Quartet. The Vida are the Eden Stell Duo, who have visited us twice before, now augmented by Mark Ashford and Helen Sanderson. We expect great things of these wonderful performers.

WESTON MUSIC SOCIETY

The return on Saturday 26th March 2011 of VOCE, the outstanding mixed voice choir who last visited us three years ago

WESTON MUSIC SOCIETY

On Saturday 14th May 2011 we are pleased to welcome the De Parys Trio (flute, violin and guitar) whose members are all on the staff of the music department of Bedford School.

KERBING WORK IN RUSHDEN

From 16 August, kerbing work will be carried out in Rushden near the village green and for 3-4 days there will be 2 way traffic lights controlling the flow of traffic through the village. There will be some delays as a result, but please be patient!

Chip & Elspeth Gutteridge have been raising money this year for Isabel Hospice. Congratulations to them for their fantastic effort.

Thanks to All Our Sponsors from Chip & Elspeth!

We would like to say a huge thank you to everybody who has supported and sponsored us this year in our swimming challenges to raise money for Isabel Hospice. The indoor swims are now finished and Elspeth has completed the Great East and Great London outdoor swims, coming 8^th in her age & gender group in London. There is just one outdoor swim left – in Salford in September. But the best news of all is that so far we have raised £2,015, plus Gift Aid, for the hospice. This has far exceeded what we set out to achieve and we are very grateful to all of you.

If anybody would like to know more about why we have been swimming this year, please look at our JustGiving page which can be found at: http://www.justgiving.com/Elspeth-Gutteridge

Click on photo for larger image.

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THE JUBILEE SINGERS NEED YOU!

If you: ...are female

...live or have ever lived in Rushden

...like a natter with other Rushden girls

...have ever sung a note (even if only in the bath)

...then come and join us!

The Jubilee Singers is a village ladies choir, of mixed ages and abilities, whose aims are to have fun and make a noise that doesn’t make the audience run for cover. With several well-received performances under our belt, we are looking forward to the next, which will be music from the ‘50s, ‘60s & ‘70s on

9 OCTOBER 2010, COTTERED VILLAGE HALL, IN AID OF THE ISABEL HOSPICE.

Rehearsals start on 3 March 2010, in Southern Green, but don’t despair – we will have a Summer break.

If you are interested in giving it a go, please call Janet Dingemans (288313) or Elspeth Gutteridge (288252) for more details.

A rather belated welcome from the website to Justin and Judy the new landlord and landlady of the Moon and Stars. By the way, their scallops and bacon seems to have scored a real hit judging by feedback.

These are postcards which were once kept in Redfearn's shop on Roe Green. With thanks to the Hoefkens

Click on photo for larger image.

We are sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Osborne, who lived opposite the Moon and Stars for many years. Our sympathy goes out to her family. Her funeral was at St Mary’s Church on Wednesday 7^th July.

Click here for the Rural Watch July 2010

Click here for Information on Unoccupied Property

Click here for Information for Dog Owners

Click here for Poachers' Moon Leaflet (.pdf)

The non emergency number for contacting the Police if you have worries about anything is:- 0845 3300222.

The Rushden Fete on Saturday 26 June proved very successful with crowds of visitors who turned out in the incredible weather and an amazing £4,500 was raised, an all time record. The Village Hall Committee were absolutely thrilled how well the fete went. It was a fantastic team effort and it all ran smoothly. This is of course because of the fabulous organisation by Ellen who worked tirelessly to make sure that everything went to plan.

Thanks to all of you for your fantastic contribution. Special mention must go to:

The fete sub committee of Mary Ann, Debs Collis & Carole Littlechild
Richard & Sue H for the amazingly successful Grand Raffle
Mary V and her team for all their hard work on the teas
Ian & Dave for the hottest job of the day on the BBQ
Jo Anne for doing the labour intensive White Elephant stall yet again
Chris & Eva for doing the produce so well (yet again)
Wendy & Gill for the excellent photographic competition
Brian & Nikki for the professional promotional signs and collecting all those bottles
And another thank you to Ellen for the prettiest stall ever!!

Behind the scenes thanks to Martin & John Dingemans for storing and delivering the tables & games, Darren King for the loan of the PA and Sue W for counting all that lovely money!

Click here for photos of the fete

Click here for photos of the Photo competition

with thanks to John Dingemans and Gil Gilson

Once again we will be decorating a tree for the Sandon Christmas Festival. The theme is a Christmas Carol. The WI will once again be decorating the tree.

We will never be able to turn on a tap without being aware of what water means to our world again. Such was the feeling of WI members who watched Daphne Brown’s moving film on 17th June on Stones to Water about bringing water to the people of Zimbabwe. We take this precious commodity so much for granted. In Zimbabwe school without a water supply are summarily closed down. The government refuses to supply water and cholera is rife. In Harari the drainage system has broken down. It is thanks to people like Daphne, who has now caused 36 boreholes to be sunk that many people have schools, clinics and a link to life. If you would like to donate to her worthy cause visit stones to water on the net.

Please be aware that a flasher has been exposing himself in the village. If you are one of his victims please inform the Police immediately.

At May’s WI Resolutions meeting on Thursday 20th May 2010, members were asked to vote on the Resolution “The meeting urges HM Government to introduce clear and mandatory labeling on all meat, poultry and fish products sold in this country.” 7 members voted for the resolution; 2 were against and there were 2 abstentions.

Rushden Lace Club meets once a month (usually the first Monday of the month) at Rushden Village Hall from 10.am to 3.00pm.

All at 10 am at the Village Hall.

To see the Lace Makers website click here

FROM NEIL AND ANITA

This is a note to say that The Moon And Stars now has new tenants.

There names are Justin and Judy and will be open for drinks tonight at 6pm as normal!

They will start cooking on Thursday I believe !

So hope the village will show there support to them both and wish them well !

All the best to them both from Neil and Anita.

Do you have a surfeit of apples in Autumn?

Are you an apple juice lover?

Why not take them to Apple Cottage in Baldock to have them pressed.?

Email applecottage@btconnect.com to find out more

Click here for Highlights of the Village Hall Committee AGM 25th March 2010

We have a delightful 200 year old Provençal farm cottage for rent, with private swimming pool, pool house, garden, magnificent views. One mile from Vaison-la-Romaine in the heart of the Haut Vaucluse.

2 bedrooms to sleep 4, living room, well equipped kitchen, bathroom and 2 separate WC’s, terraces incl barbecue. Full central heating and log fire.

Click here to see some photos

Contact Lilian on 01628 521002 or lilian@dubois.me.uk

Found in Village Hall

Narrow glasses, black framed, in striped fabric case. Phone 01763 288393

UNTAXED VEHICLES

If you see any untaxed vehicles can you let Amy know? Amy.Rainbird@Herts.pnn.police.uk

We plan to deal with them in the near future, I intend to get a DVLA officer to clamp any untaxed vehicles.

PC 431 Paul Marina.
North Herts Rural Neighbourhood Team.
paul.marina@herts.pnn.police.uk

Click here for Highlights of the Village Hall Committee 25 March 2010

GUITAR AND BASS TUITION AVAILABLE

OLLIE GLAZE

(MEMBER OF THE REGISTRY OF GUITAR TUTORS)

TEL 07884 492 182

EMAIL ollieglaze@hotmail.com

Clive Semple has sent us some Rushden wartime photos to enjoy.

Click on photo for larger image and list of names

The mobile library visits on a Friday. USE IT, OR LOSE IT!!!

Click here for new mobile library times

The Buntingford Civic Society are trying to increase awareness of the work of the Society via their web-site. To find out about their activities click here.

As you are aware we currently carry out speed monitoring in your village once a month and record our findings in the rural newsletter.

We have been notified by our superiors that we are NO LONGER to do this and that any speed enforcement/monitoring is to be carried out ONLY by our Traffic Management team at HIGH RISK locations only.

Please can I have :

A - Your comments
B - Your concerns
C - Do you want us to continue with the speed checks and why?

Obviously the Rural Neighbourhood Team are well aware of your needs and are keen to continue to monitor the speed of vehicles for you. If you would kindly put your response in writing to PC Paul Marina Paul.MARINA@herts.pnn.police.uk so he can forward these onto those who have made this decision.

Kind regards
Tracy

PCSO 6503 Tracy Kennedy
Royston Rural Neighbourhood Team

Footprints is your new organic box delivery service delivering to Rushden on Fridays and hoping shortly to have a regular stall at the Moon and Stars on Thursdays.

Foodprints are now at the Baldock Boot Sale every Saturday - 7am to 11am as well as at the Growers' Market. There produce is locally grown so if you care about the environment this is your chance to help reduce your carbon footprint. Visit them online at www.foodprints.co.uk

Our ghost section. Click here.

Have you visited our ghost section? We are always interested in adding new ones to our list. Please contact the Webmaster. if you or anyone you know has had a "spiritual " awakening!

Need Council Help?
Here are some numbers that may be of use.

Flooding	0845 988 1188
Overgrown hedge/grass	01438 737320
Potholes	01438 737320
Abandoned burnt out vehicle	01462 474579
Broken phone booth	0800 661 610

Check on Sandon School Website

Help your Church

Buy your goods from perfiliate on www.buy.at/StMarysRushdenHerts and save yourself money whilst helping St Mary's Church.

SYSTEMS SERVICES – phone…John Lever … 01763 288 165 , e-mail: logical@btinternet.com

Selecting a personal computer + Coaching on how to use it + Help if it goes wrong.
Setting up your own website + Design of your own programs and web facilities.

We can tutor you or we can do the work for you.

‘Member of British Computer Society’, ‘Chartered Information Systems Practitioner’

Our website : www.logical.btinternet.co.uk/publish.htm - Callout charge applies.

AEROPLANE ALERT

RING 01582 395382 to report any low flying aeroplane in your area. The more you moan now, the less aeroplanes you will see in the future.

Rushden is linked with the Hertfordshire Communities Online, British Villages Website, Village Key and Irish and British Villages . Have a look and take a virtual tour of the villages of Britain.

We get frequent requests on this website for help with family research. We therefore thought it might be a help if we gave out the website address of Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies. They have given us their permission,so here it is www.hertsdirect.org Their Email address is hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk

This is Rushden's very own website. You can input your views directly onto the Bulletin Board or exchange news and views with all the other visitors on our Discussion Board. Click and just add your own comments about what you feel is good, bad or indifferent about Rushden, the government, the world and life in general.

This is our community website for our community.

E-Mail the Webmaster@rushdenherts.org.uk with all your news, comments and suggestions.

Runner up Village Website of the Year 2003