Rushden previously enjoyed a railway link to Wellingborough but unfortunately this was lost in the sixty’s. The railway station still remains and is now the home of the Rushden Historical Transport Society, who with a great deal of work have restored the premises to their former good condition. The society have also established a museum covering all forms of transport. The collection is on view at various times during the year but the main event is the ‘Cavalcade’ which takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend each year. This is a national event not to say international event where enthusiasts travel many miles to join in. With the event growing each year many venues have been tried but Lancaster Farm (on the road between Higham Ferrers and Chelveston) has been the location for the past few years.

Rushden Feast. Photo: D. Springthorpe, Rothwell

The ‘Rushden Feast’ is held on the first Sunday after the 19th September each year. This is the largest ‘backend’ feast in Northamptonshire. The feast contains a wide variety of rides and amusements.

In conclusion Rushden could be described with two quotes from the book, ‘ Rushden A Duchy of Lancaster Village’ by David Hall and Ruth Harding (1985). These put the town in a nice context regarding its development, ‘The result is a town of period charm’ and ‘Rushden has a pleasing period attractiveness’. When you visit our town you may form just such an opinion.

For further reading about Rushden the above volume and the pictorial book ‘ Old Rushden’ (1978) by the Rotary Club of Rushden show what has been lost but how much is still retained of our hometown. Both books are available at the public library in Newton Road, which was built in 1907 with funding from Mr Andrew Carnegie the American philanthropist.