County Council Decision to Acquire Rushden House

During the recent County Council discussion which resulted in a decision to acquire Rushden House as a Sanatorium, Mr John Claridge JP supported the protest made by Rushden Urban District Council and strongly urged the County Council not to support the proposal on the ground of the close proximity of the building to the main road leading to Bedford, but more particularly to the road leading to Wymington, which was frequented by a large number of Rushden people, also by large numbers from Wymington, going backwards and forwards two or three times a day to their work.  He also stated that there was a large Elementary school attended by nearly 400 children within a distance of 150 years of Rushden House.  He contended that the site was unsuitable for a Sanatorium, and in this he was supported by the Rushden Medical Officer of Health, owing to it being a nasty stiff clay sub soil, and on other grounds.  The situation was not at all suitable or convenient, especially if they were going to include Rutlandshire in the scheme.  If they considered that the district was suitable then he contended that there was a much more pleasantly sited house within two miles of this and close to the main line which could be obtained.  There were also a number of houses close by Rushden House and for this and other reasons he strongly urged the Council to pay some respect to the appeal of the Rushden Urban District Council, and to the vote against the proposal.

[Note: The other house referred to was Knuston Hall].