Mrs. Parkin writes:-
The photograph under the heading “Who Were They?” published in last Friday’s issue of “The Rushden Echo & Argus” is that of a group of members of the Rushden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, in “The Lancers,” produced at the Public Hall, Coffee Tavern lane, Rushden (now a billiard hall) in February 1898.

Back row (left to right):- Mr. Alfred Groom (Rushden); Mr. Pearson; Miss “Tot” Brown (now Mrs. Alfred Pettitt Rushden); Mr. George Henry Parkin (who died in 1915 at Bedford); Miss Fanny Wheeler (now Mrs. Fred Shortland, Rushden); Mr. Walter Wood; Mr. George W. Coles (the well known Rushden councillor and magistrate); Miss Florence Darnell (now Mrs. E. Mustill, Northampton); Mr. George Ellis (now abroad).

Middle row (left to right):- Mr. Horace Streather (Raunds); Miss Minnie Wheeler (now Mrs. H. Addison, Rushden ); Mrs. W. L. Sargent (nee Miss Nellie Parkin, now of London); Mr. W. F. J. Hewitt (producer for the society and now managing director of the Wellingborough Palace Co. Ltd.); Mrs. John Dickens (Rushden); Miss Annie Cunnington (now Mrs. Cooper); Mr. James Waite (who died in 1927 at Northampton).

Front row (left to right):- Miss Kate Linnitt (now Mrs. K. Parkin, Rushden); Miss Louie Sargent (the late Mrs. W. Pingstone, Rushden); Mr. John Dickens (Rushden).

The photograph was taken by Mr. Sam Powell, now retired and living at Wellingborough, whose business is carried on by Mr. Edgar Linnitt, High-street, Rushden. Mr. G. H. Parkin was absent when it was taken, and his photograph was inserted later.

Other productions of the society between the years 1896 and 1900 were “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Black-eyed Susan,” and “Les Cloches de Corneville.”