Rushden Echo, 1^st Aug 1909, transcribed by Kay Collins

Birthday Celebration—Mr William Brown celebrated his 88^th birthday on Sunday at the residence of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs Fred Parker. Mr Brown was for 30 years maltster at the old malt-house formerly situate at the south end of Higham below the Swan Inn. He is now a bedesman and enjoys the best of health.

Rushden Echo, 28^th December 1917

The Bedesmen had their annual festivities on Friday last, meeting at the Town Hall at 10.30a.m., where lunch was served. A service was attended at St. Mary’s Church, and the Vicar preached. At the Town Hall dinner was provided by the Bedeswoman, Mrs. Wlby, assisted by Mrs. F. H. Felce. The Bedesmen present were Messrs. J. Parker, J. Draper, J. Lambert, C. Miller, A. Valentine, and G. Draper, and dinners were sent to Messrs. F. Dickens and J. Tester. Bedesmen have died during the year, and vacancies have been filled by the United Charities Committee by the appointment of the following: Messrs. J. Quincey, J. Townsend, A. Wright, and W. Braines. Besides the Bedesmen there were present: The Mayor, the Vicar and the Rev. H. Long (Wesleyan minister). In the afternoon the Mayoress attended bringing sweets and grapes. Thanks were passed to the United Charities Committee for filling the vacancies, also to Messrs. G. Draper and J. Parker, the collectors, to the Mayoress and Mr. F. Parker for presenting the accounts and dividing them so that all received the same as last year. Tea was provided at 4.30, this ending a very pleasant day.

Bedesmen’s Day at Higham – Annual Dinner
The Bedesmen and the Bedeswoman of Higham Ferrers met at the Town Hall on Saturday morning. After having dinner, service was attended at St Mary’s Church, the Rev H K Fry preaching. At the Town Hall an excellent dinner was provided by the Bedeswoman (Mrs Wilby), assisted by the mayor’s Sergeant (Mr W Pettit) and Mrs Pettit.

The following sat down to dinner: John Parker, Jacob Quincey, James Draper, James Tester, George Draper, Collius Miller, William Townshend and Edward Dickens. Four deaths occurred during the year, the following being appointed in their places: George Hartwell, Chapman Pack, William Mitchell and Eli Dickenson. In addition to the Bedesmen at dinner were the Mayor (Ald. T Patenall), the Rev H K Fry, and the Rev C Borman, Wesleyan minister.

During the afternoon the Mayoress (Mrs Patenall) brought grapes and sweets, and Miss Orrell, of Rushden, gave recitations. Tea was served at 4p.m. Mr F Parker balanced up the accounts, the twelve men and one woman receiving 30/- from the united Charities Committee, 7/2 each from the day’s proceedings, besides 7d. each and 1d. day paid weekly during the year. Hearty thanks were accorded to Mr F Parker.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 22^nd December 1944

An Ancient Routine at Higham

The red-starred bedesmen of Higham Ferrers kept up an ancient custom on Thursday. It was St. Thomas’s Day and eleven veteran bedesmen out the twelve now sharing the privileges of the foundation were entertained at the Town Hall, first attending a service at St. Mary’s Church.

Rushden Echo, Friday, January 1, 1965

Bedesmen's Day At Higham Ferrers

Nine Bedesmen and one Bedeswoman of Higham Ferrers were given the use of the Town Hall on St. Thomas's Day, traditionally Bedesmen's day.

Bedesmen originally lived in the Bede House and were looked after by one bedeswoman. Now they are appointed by a United Charities committee. There are twelve of them, but three of them  were absent through illness last week.

In the morning they were accompanied to a service at the Parish Church by the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. R.O. Blackwell.

The Bedesmen, with the Bedeswoman, Mrs. Elsie Freeman, were then given a lunch in the Town Hall and joined again by Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell and the Deputy Mayor, Mrs. G. E. Woodley, for tea.

After tea they were shown a selection of colour slides by Mr. Arthur Colton which were taken on a recent world tour. Mr. Colton has attended the tea for many years.