The Rushden Argus, 30^th July 1897, transcribed by Kay Collins

Outing.—The employees of the firm of Messrs. Abraham Groome and Sons, shoe manufacturers, of Rushden, had their second annual outing on Saturday last. The venue chosen was Drayton House, the residence of Mr. Stopford Sackville, where Mr. Wm. Claridge's employees spent such a pleasant day a few weeks since. The employees, numbering about 100, who were accompanied by Mr. A. O. Groome and Mr. C. E. Groome, started from the factory at 8.30, in seven brakes, in delightful weather. The route was the same as that taken by Mr. Wm. Claridge's employees — through Higham, Stanwick, Ringstead, Thrapston, Islip, and Lowick. After a pleasant drive Drayton House was reached about 11.30, and cricket and other games were at once entered upon with considerable zest. At 12.30 the call to dinner proved very welcome, after which a cricket  match was commenced between sides composed of  pressmen and finishers and clickers. The pressmen and finishers managed to put together 130 runs, but the match was then brought to an unexpected conclusion. A Lowick labourer, working in the farmyard adjoining, fell the ground from a haystack, fracturing his thigh and breaking his nose. Fortunately, several of Messrs. Groome’s employees are competent ambulance men, and directly they heard of the accident they hastened to the assistance of the unfortunate man. Mr. A. O. Groome, who is the first officer of the Higham Ferrers Brigade, with the assistance of Messrs. Thompson, Abbott, and Whiting, put the leg in splints and carefully bandaged it, and then conveyed the man to Thrapston in a brake and thence to the Northampton Infirmary by the 5.30 train. Mr. Groome, and those with him, returned to Higham Ferrers by the 9.30 train. Meanwhile, the time was spent at Drayton House in a very pleasant manner. Although the cricket match was broken up, other amusements were indulged in, and there was a little dancing to the accompaniment of a small string band composed of employees of the firm. Tea was served at five o'clock, and an opportunity was subsequently given for the party to go through the gardens and grounds attached to the house. The time was thus pleasantly whiled away until 8.30, when a start was made for home, the factory being reached about 10.30. A halt was made at Ringstead, both going and returning for a 'refresher' which was very welcome in the heat of day. The whole of the arrangements, including the catering, were satisfactorily carried out by a committee consisting of the following:- Messrs. C. Middleton (secretary), T Palmer (treasurer), G. Beadough, Thompson, J. Mark, A. Muddleton, E Mallard, and J Abbott. The firm generously gave towards the day’s expenses. The day was altogether a most enjoyable one, and will give the men confidence to make a like venture another year.