Tom Swindall did much building work in and around this area of the town, and he also supplied coal and coke. The pictures above show his yard in Wentworth Road. Coal and Coke was collected from the railway station for delivery to his customers.
The list of plans passed by the council shows that he built 6 houses in Midland Road in 1895, followed by a stable & loft in Lancaster Street. Next he applied to build 2 houses in Windmill Road, and in January the next year he again applied to build another 5 houses in Midland Road and 2 more in Windmill Road. The following month he again applied to build another 3 in Midland Road. This shows how much the town was changing and the huge demand for housing as the influx of workers, for the growing shoe trade, came to the town from far and wide.
In June 1925 he applied to build a 'new estate' at Prospect Avenue and by 1929 his sons had joined the business.
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A bill head from the 1930's.
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Rushden Echo, 12th March 1909
Free Farms of 160 Acres, good crops, healthy climate, light taxes. - Mr. T. Swindall, emigration agent, Rushden, has arranged with Mr. R. F. Page, of Olds, Alberta, Canada, to give the fullest information regarding the prospects of employment for workers in Canada, at the office, 53 High-street, Rushden, on Wednesday March 24, from 6.30 to 8.30p.m., and on Thursday March 25, from 10a.m. to noon.
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He gave the same presentation at Ringstead on March 19 1909. |
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Mr Tom Swindall - Chairman
Rushden Urban Council
1906-7, 1915, 1922, 1928
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From a bundle of papers, kindly loaned |
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1914
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28-May
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£100 |
27-Jun
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£100 |
31-Jul
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£50 |
19-Sep
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£100 |
09-Nov
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£100 |
03-Dec
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£45 |
In 1914 the company built a "Villa" in Finedon Road, Irthlingborough, for Mr. G. Maddock, of G Maddock & Co., curriers and leather merchants. The architect was Mr E Madin.
Between May and December it was built, and paid for in instalments. [perhaps in August & October two other instalments were made?]
An invoice was raised for extras £39 12s 0d and decorating cost another £7 11s 7d.
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Bedfordshire Times and Independent, 29th August 1913, transcribed by Susan Manton
For Sale A good bred light trap HORSE; a quick mover and quiet to ride and drive; would make a capital lady’s hunter; aged 5 years height 15.1 Apply: T. Swindall, builder, Rushden.
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The Rushden Echo, 5th March, 1915, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Rushden Man - Enlists As A.S.C. Driver
Mr. Steve Dickens, of Glassbrook-road, Rushden, for six years in the employ of Mr. T. Swindall as horse driver, has joined the Army Service Corps, and left Rushden on Monday for Woolwich. He has a son at Weymouth in the Northants Regiment.
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The Rushden Echo, March 26th 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins
Recruit
Mr. H. Swindall, son of the late Mr. Swindall, booking agent, of Moor-road, Rushden, and nephew of Mr. T. Swindall, has enlisted in the 2nd Contingent of Canadians. Mr. H. Swindall is leaving behind a wife (eldest daughter of Mr. J. Noble, late of Rushden), and one child.
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The Rushden Echo, 29th October, 1915, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Three Rushden Brothers
Mr. H. C. Swindall, third son of Mr. T. Swindall, J.P. (chairman of the Rushden Urban Council), has gone to Chatham to join the Royal Naval Sick Berth Reserves. His two brothers are already serving their country.
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Two invoices for coal were raised on 30th August 1918 for Mr Joseph Knight, for 1ton and for 1ton 1cwt. It was usual for coal to be at 'summer prices' to encourage householders to buy before the onset of winter, to even out the supply for lorries and drivers.
Coal came into Rushden railway station from pits in Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The invoice below is for his winter fuel deliveries February to April 1920.
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Below: A 1919 invoice for fencing and repairs to exisiting fence at Rosemount, the home of Mr Joseph Knight.
These all came from a bundle stored on a 'spike'
(a traditional way to keep receipts)
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Evening Telegraph, 6th August 1979 - A Trip to Windsor Castle in 1926 |
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Here’s a worse-for-wear, but fascinating old picture of a firm’s outing that may strike a few chords with some of our older readers. It belongs to Mr R A Beardsmore, of Wollaston Road, Irchester, who believes it dates from 1926. The event was the outing of T Swindall and Sons, a building firm, incorporating A T Nichols, the decorators. One memorable thing about the trip was that the bus broke down on the way home and the merrymakers had to wait several hours for a replacement vehicle. Some of the names Mr Beardsmore remembers are Clem, Brown, Bert Swindall, Collins, Mason, Alf Nichols, Albert Edwards, Tom Parker, Jack Maycock, Ossie Church, Hinde, Barker. |
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Rushden Echo, cJuly 1930
BUILDERS' OUTINGThe employees of Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons, builders, of Station-road, Rushden, went to Brighton for their annual outing on Saturday, Starting at 6 a.m., the party, numbering about 30, journeyed by charabanc and arrived at the sea at 11.30. The day was enjoyably spent in bathing, sea trips, sight-seeing and other diversions. The return journey was begun at 8 p.m., and the company arrived in Rushden at 2 a.m. on Sunday. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr. T. J. Swindall.
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Rushden Echo and Argus, Friday 4th May 1934, transcribed by Susan Manton
Important notice
of the amalgamation of T. Swindall & Sons, Station Road, Rushden and Alec Swindall, 10 College Street Higham Ferrers.
These old-established businesses will now be under one ownership under the name of
T. Swindall & Sons
The Higham Ferrers branch at 10, College Street will be under the management of Mr. Alec Swindall where orders will be solicited for Building Work of all kinds, Coal Coke and all kinds of fuel, complete Funeral Furnishings.
Personal and Prompt Attention
T. Swindall and Sons
Builders, Undertakers and Coal Merchants |
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10 College Street |
Station Road |
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Higham Ferrers
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Rushden Phone 98 |
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Phone 206
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 26th February/19th March 1937
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Blinco Road, Rushden.
Attractive Semi-Detached Houses Now Being Erected.
£26 Total Deposit. Repayments 13/3 Weekly.
(Purchase Price £525).
Gas, Town Water, Electricity and Sewer all laid on.
No Legal Charges.
For complete particulars, Plan and Specification apply:
T. SWINDALL & SONS
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Station Road,
Rushden.
'Phone 98. |
10 College Street,
Higham Ferrers.
'Phone 206.
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Rushden Echo & Argus, 1st October 1937
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T Swindall & Sons Carnival Floats - the picture below Entry 127 in 1934
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The Rushden Echo and Argus, 15th May, 1942, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Railings Disappear - Rushden Contractor Starts on Own Property
“Twiddly bits” from the railings and gates of Rushden will in all probability become manhole covers for use on aerodromes and other military sites.
This is in fact what has already happened to some of Wellingborough’s salvaged metal, and the covers are actually in use, releasing higher quality metal to make tanks.
Whatever may be said by the man in the street regarding the loss of his fence, the point stands out that by giving his metal he is saving his fuel.
Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons, of Rushden, who have the Ministry of Works contract for the removal of the metal, started work on Wednesday in Moor-road, and will strip the West Ward first.
Mr. T. J. Swindall chose his own property for the initial attack “just to get a little more practice,” as he said. The work will probably continue for about 10 weeks. In general, cast iron will be taken before the wrought iron.
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Extract from the obituary for Mrs Margaret Swindall in 1944
Mr H C Brown, an old employee of Messrs T Swindall and Sons, conducted the funeral arrangements. |
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