Canteen Opened by Messrs. C. W. Horrell, Ltd.

Factory Workers’ “Second Home”

Another step towards solving the war-time meals problem was taken at Rushden on Monday when Messrs. C. W. Horrell, Ltd., boot manufacturers, opened a dinner canteen for their employees.

Like other Rushden firms, Messrs. C. W. Horrell employ many operatives who live outside the town. A mess-room where packed meals could be eaten has long been in use. Now, however, the same building extended to give space for a kitchen, has taken the form of a restaurant capable of holding nearly 100 diners and of supplying a good hot dinner at 11d. a head.

The equipment is not yet complete, and roasted joints will be off the menu until other apparatus arrives; but temporary arrangements in the kitchens proved highly successful on Monday. The out-of-town employees were eager to use the canteen, and in-town workers who need dinner facilities may soon be joining them.

Darts and a radio set are “extras” which will be popular.

Among the diners on the opening day were Ald. and Mrs. C. W. Horrell, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Horrell, Mr. Martin O’Connor and Mr. Harold Geary, with Ald. A. C. Allen representing the Boot Operatives’ Union.

Employees Thanks

After dinner one of the employees, Mr. G. W. Smith, expressed thanks to the directors for providing such “splendid” facilities. The workers, he said, had had happy times in the old mess-room, but the new canteen was a “home from home.” They were delighted with the fare.

Ald. Horrell replied that it had been a great pleasure to make the arrangements. It had been difficult to obtain equipment, but they hoped soon to complete the arrangements and make the users as comfortable as possible, because they realised the difficulties that arose from the rationing. They had no intention of making profit from the canteen, and if there was any balance it would be handed back in the shape of a free meal.

Congratulating the firm on its enterprise, Ald. Allen said the canteen was of more importance and greater significance than might be thought. It was difficult for people to pack meals in these days, and wives had been hard put to it to find something to send their husbands off with.

Changing Habits

“I think the war is going to change our habits somewhat,” said Mr. Allen. “It is a good thing for opportunities to be given for people to mix, rather than that we should be just ‘workers’ and ‘employers.’”

The Minister of Labour wanted to take more people out of the boot industry. It was difficult to see how they could maintain an output if many girls were taken, but they would have to try. Mr. Bevin, however, was going to do all he could to foster the promotion of canteens so that, with more married women entering the factories, both man and wife could be sure of a midday meal.

“I hope,” added Mr. Allen, “that we shall acquire this habit of having meals together rather than being shut up in our homes.”

Mr. W. M. Horrell and Mr. O’Connor also spoke, and Mr. C. W. Horrell spoke in praise of Mrs. Cook, the canteen manageress.