This Summer has had a series of heatwaves and the 3rd one came just as Rushden held its 2025 Party-in-the-Park.
Organised by Conservative-controlled Rushden Town Council, the Party was a cross between a fun-fair, an open-air rock concert and a fete.
It was such a gloriously hot day, that the planned Dog Show had to be abandoned, as it was too hot for the canines to perform!
Many thousands came to enjoy themselves, have a go on the rides, browse the stalls and to see a Queen-tribute band, “Magic Queen”.
Obituary: Richard Woodcock
Rushden Historical Transport Society was founded in 1976 and has become a pillar of the community in Rushden. The Society owns and maintains the former railway station and the goods shed.
Recently, the RHTS sadly lost a founding member, Richard Woodcock. He placed an advert in the local newspaper, the Evening Telegraph, asking if anyone had an interest in historical transport.
Richard went on to be a major figure in the Society from its foundation in the late 1970s until the late 1990s.
Latterly, in partnership with Rushden Town Council, the Society has organised an annual classic car event in Rushden’s Hall Park. It has grown to be one of the biggest of its kind in the country. It also organises a good number of events using the converted Goods Shed.
His passing marks the end of an era.
Kwikfit Open in Rushden
Kwikfit have added Rushden to their list of sites, having moved onto the former Travis Perkins site.
On 24th June, Rushden’s Town Mayor, Cllr. Gill Mercer, cut the ribbon at their new facility in Station Road, opposite the disused railway station.
Kwikfit are a nationwide chain and specialise in fitting tyres to road vehicles. They also do brakes, exhausts and MOTs.
Freedom Fliers
Rush2TheDen, the local charity that was recently awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service, continue to expand their offerings for young people. Freedom Fliers is one of the latest. Their website states:
“Freedom Fliers is our SEN youth club for senior school aged young people with additional needs from 11 to 17 years.”
It meets on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Carers, parents and siblings are also welcome to attend. It’s £1 per session.
RUSH 2The DEN
Fitzwilliam Street, Rushden, NN10 9YW
Fridays – 5.30pm to 7.00pm
For children and young people aged 11 to 19 with additional needs.
Music • Crafts • Games • Sensory
£1 entry | Tuck shop available
Parents / carers welcome
The Battle for Rushden Lakes – Part 10
This is the tenth instalment of the story of how the Rushden Lakes scheme came to be approved and then built.
The Impact of Rushden Lakes
An entire block within the scheme was handed over to the local Wildlife Trust so that they could supervise the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) protecting rare species of wildlife. Beavers are a recent addition to the site.
The scheme had the potential to create 2,000 to 3,000 jobs in an area that was lacking local employment. Nobody is quite sure how many jobs were created directly and indirectly, but most estimates are in excess of 3,000.
The incredible success of the scheme has been built on three legs:
- The wildlife attracts extra footfall, so that the retail and leisure operators get extra trade. (Allegedly, they over-trade by around 50%.)
- The operators value the wildlife because it boosts their profits. They therefore work to protect the wildlife.
- The evening economy of the site uses the same parking and roads as the retail trade, but at different times of the day. This double use of the same spaces maximises the return on the investment.
Rushden Lakes breaks with the orthodoxy of retail schemes. It proves that nature and retail can co-exist and both benefit. The more that the SSSI thrives, the more profits the operators make.
Local people not only have additional employment opportunities close to home reducing the need to travel to other areas, they can also keep more economic growth local. The unique facility that has been created allows locals and visitors to enjoy the wildlife along with combining leisure and retail activities.
It’s a genuine Win-Win-Win, for the operators, the local community and the wildlife.