The Rushden Echo, 19th January 1968, transcribed by Jim Hollis

Mothers’ clubs launch new playgroup

Rushden’s two mothers’ clubs have combined to provide one of their most ambitious projects to date – a playgroup for almost thirty of their children.

Supervised by a qualified nurse the children – between the ages of three and five – have the opportunity of playing together with equipment they would not normally have at home.

And for mothers it can mean a few hours of relaxation at home or even a trip to the hairdressers without worrying about junior scrambling under the feet of busy assistants.

Playing and story time

The members of Rushden 1st and 2nd Mothers’ Clubs decided to join together for this venture which is aimed at providing facilities for widening children’s horizons and developing new skills.

Older Children

The group meets at Rushden Welfare Clinic, Rectory Road each Thursday morning (with the exception of the first Thursday in each month) from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and at the moment the organisers are catering mainly for the older children, and at present there is a long waiting list.

The clubs have organised a rota system so that a different group of mothers assist the nurse each week. At the present time they care for 27 children.

The cost of setting up and running the group has been eased by a grant of £25 from the infant welfare committee and donations of two guineas from both clubs.

Mothers are charged 2s 6d membership registration for each child and 2s 6d for each session.