Rushden Research Group: High Street South

High Street South

& The High Street South Causeway


c1905 Postcard view from the Green	and probably taken from Hall Park entrance wall


Cottages next to the Wheatsheaf Inn	and what replaced them in the 1960s


Formerly the Swan and Dolphin, the old Coach and Horses was demolished c1934, and replaced by the flat roofed properties in the next photograph.	l-r: Florence Simpson's, the last remaining thatched property in Rushden, the Hall Park entrance, Helen - ladies' hairdresser, George Robinson's garage, Ginns blacksmith's


No. 22 - c1970s - Photo by Vic Childs - courtesy of Rushden Museum - and shortly before closure in the 1990s


From the Coach and Horses Inn looking south showing the park wall down to the only thatched property in Rushden today.	c1910 the junction with Griffith Street


The Hall Grounds wall and gate being moved back Courtesy of the late Colin Bryant's Collection	In the 1950s Centre picture is the Waggon & Horses


26 High Street South - Jinny Wells' shop in early 1900s and George Moore's greengrocery in the mid 1900s - the trees behind are in the Hall Park grounds	In 2008 Barry Miller's hairdressers at No. 40 and an Indian take-away at No. 38 formerly Bill Poole's vacuum cleaner shop, with 5 cottages in Robb's yard behind (28-36)

Left is the Conservative Club and right the Wagon & Horses

High causeway about 1900 & Farmhouse (behind lamp)

Extract from Early Schools:

Mrs Wagstaff (Private School): opposite Crabb St at old Farm House belonging to Mr Sartoris (where Jeremiah Knight lived).

High St South, about 1906
showing the high pavement
Jane Wells had her shop at 61 sometime between 1903 & 1910. Could this be Empire Day celebrations 24th May?

For more about Jane Wells' family see Peggy & Jesse Bird

Rushden Echo & Argus, 6^th October 1916, transcribed by Gill Hollis

The High Causeway was responsible for another accident on Monday night, the victim being Mr. Wm. Goodfellow, of 88, High-street South. He had been to the barber’s, and on returning home, thinking that he had reached the steps he stepped off the pavement at one of the highest points, falling a distance of seven or eight feet. He was picked up in a dazed condition by Messrs. Lewis, Childs, and Whitney, and conveyed to his home but a short distance away. Fortunately no bones were broken, although Mr. Goodfellow was badly bruised and shaken. Although he is still lame and suffering from bruises Mr. Goodfellow is managing to keep at his work, and is progressing satisfactorily.

The Wellingborough News, Friday October 27th 1916

Rushden Death-trap - The High-street South Causeway
The drop from the top to the roadway varies from four to six feet and the edge is entirely unprotected. With the dark nights and unlighted streets the place is a positive death trap, and the Council should make more persistent efforts to have the place fenced. There have been several serious accidents at the place including one in which a resident, who knew the spot well, was involved.

The Rushden Echo, 8^th December 1916, transcribed by Gill Hollis

ACCIDENT Mr. Henry Carter, of High-street South, had a very bad fall from the High Causeway a week ago. He went to post a newspaper, and, as it was a pitch-dark night and very misty, he could not distinguish the whitened kerb. He hurt his backbone and sustained a painful cut on his elbow. Since then he has unfortunately had another fall, slipping down and hurting his arm.


Two more views of the High causeway c1890s
Above: Looking towards Bedford. Centre of the picture where a garden was created in 1908 The children are crossing the road going to the school. The blinds of the same shop are in both pictures Above right: Cottages where Little Street joins High Street South 1890s Right: The same row of cottages in 2010. The brown gateway centre was formerly the access to South Terrace.


Commerce House at the corner of Crabb Street is the first of the properties on the High Causeway

		The Co-op shop in High Street South and row of houses to the corner of Crabb Street.
A similar view in 2011 - buildings gone and grassed. (right) The block of flats built on ground behind the old buildings.

Courtesy of the late Colin Bryant's Collection

c1897 The old South End School built in 1871 stands at the corner
of Wymington Road - now the premises of the Full Gospel Church

This datestone was rescued from an old barn - next to the School - later used by Townsend's Garages

Flats next to the Townsends site where Bow Windows used to be



Pair of houses built 1867 - demolished 2010	Date stone and plaque	Spring Cottages built 1880 - Nos 73 & 75 High Street South

The first factory that was built by Wm Green. It was enhanced with a plaque of a boot.

Plaque on Green's Factory

In 1918 Hugh Nicholson was here, followed by Tyzown and then Eden & Co.

Just as it was due to be opened as a slipper factory there was a fire in 1966.

c2008 with windows replaced

Rushden Echo, 13th July 1928, transcribed by Kay Collins

A High Pavement at Rushden
Councillors Move to Make it Safe New members Clash with the Old
At the meeting of the Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting, Mr Perkins moved that the Highways Committee prepare a plan and estimate of a fence for the high pavement in High-street South. He said that at the last meeting he was informed that the matter had been before the Council on several previous occasions. As the town got bigger they had more money to find for many things, but was it wise to neglect those things which had been shelved? It would have been done years ago if it could have been done cheaply. The height of the pavement from the road was about 5ft., and children played on it. The alternative was amongst the traffic on the road. ’Buses stood alongside the pavement, reducing the walking space. If he lived near, he would ask to petition the Council to make the pavement safe.

Mr Tysoe seconded.

Mr Claridge said he would like Mr Perkins and Mr Tysoe to say how it was to be improved. He could not see how it would be done.

Mr Tom Wilmott said he thought the Council were going to hear something, but they were no nearer.

Mr A Wilmott: If money would make it safe for children, the committee would look at it. We don’t know how to make it safe. Children will climb from the pavement if it is fenced. I remember that wall 30 years ago, and I only know of one accident, a perambulator running off. The pavement is 12ft. wide.

Mr Tysoe: I don’t think we should be expected to bring a laid-out plan scientifically drawn up to bear out our proposition, as Mr Wilmott and Mr Claridge suggest. Nor should they expect us to show a detailed system of safety. If the thing is a danger, if one child during the whole of its life-time should run over the side, then the subject is worth discussing. I feel on this Councilexcuse me complaining, Mr Chairman, Mr Claridge, Mr Wilmott, and friendsif a man sits here and offers suggestions, we don’t want it thrust down our throats. We want to feel that we are here to discuss Counbcil business sincerely and in the right spirit. If we think that

Something Should Be Done
for the benefit of the inhabitants of Rushden, I do feel that if I ask a question it is looked upon as if I am taking up the time of the Council. If Mr Perkins wants to propose something for the safety of the town and I second it, I want it to be in a spirit of unanimity. It is easy and practicable to make the pavement safe. There is practically nothing impossible in this world so long as we put brains and work into it.

Mr Tom Wilmott: I am sorry Mr Tysoe took it in this light. Mr Perkins said we had had this before us several times. “Then,” he said, “I will bring it forward again.” I just said what we knew and asked if Mr Perkins or Mr Tysoe had anything tangible to offer.

Mr A Wilmott: I have lived there for 30 years and had the factory there for 17 years. There was only one slight accident all the time. At present I could not support the proposal. We have so many propositions, so many things needed for the good of the town. If a fence is put up, it will look unsightly, and I think there will be more accidents. I don’t think this is urgent at all. There are scored of improvements needed, and when you have only £5 to spend and no more to lay out you must be careful.

Mr Spencer supported the resolution, not, he said, to commit the Council to large expense, but to have the point considered again.

Mr Richardson said the chief danger was with children playing with balls.

Replying to the discussion, Mr Perkins said it would be presuming too much, when there were experts on the committee, to offer them a scheme, but he thought there might be a dwarf wall and a small railing on top. If the boys climbed, it would be their fault. At any rate the Council would be protecting little ones who were too weak to climb the fence. The question must not be shelved indefinitely. He personally would not allow a child to take a perambulator on the pavement. To wait until an accident had happened was not right.

The resolution was carried.

120,122 & 124 High St. South

A terrace of 3 houses, built of squared coursed limestone and slate roofs, with a datestone 1826.

sold in 1948

These cottages are now registered as Grade II listed buildings.

'Rosebank' - Originally named Bayes Yard after the builder.

Robbs Yard

Demolition 2010

94 High Street South

Shops