Criticism of Rushden Council’s decision to fence the brook in Spencer Park, instead of culverting it, was made at the meeting of the Rushden and District Trades Council in Wednesday.

Mr. J. Tear, the chairman, said he understood the council’s decision was made in view of financial consideration, but, even so, he understood the fencing would cost something in the region of £500. The Medical Officer of Health had said he would not hold himself responsible for the results, as children playing around would still be getting into it.

Mr. W. Hawes said “If the rates have to go up to meet the cost they have to go up. If there is a hot dry summer the place will be a real danger spot. As it is, it is absolutely foul.”

“It seems to be a case of penny wise, pound foolish; a hot summer and there will be an epidemic if it is not done in the proper manner,” said Mr. E. Mawson.

Mr. S. Oram suggested that something should be done to stop the brook getting into such a state. One answer might be to stop letting the tanneries put their stuff into the stream.

Letter to Council

Mr. Tear said prevention and cleaning out would probably be far too costly. “Everything from everywhere seems to go into it.”

A resolution was passed empowering the secretary, Mr. A. Parkinson, to write to the Urban Council expressing the council’s view.

Spencer Park together with the Hall Grounds was the subject of another resolution. Mr. Tear said it had been brought to his notice that teenagers were ignoring the signs in the parks about not riding cycles along the paths or over the grass. He wondered whether it would be a good suggestion to ask the police to take a stroll through from time to time to keep an eye on things.

It was decided to put the matter before the Urban Council.

Rushden Echo and Argus, 26th October 1956

Here is this week's sequel to months of discussion by Rushden Urban Council about the Spencer Park brook declared in June to be heavily polluted. The brook has been cleaned out and sewer improvements may obviate major pollution in the future, but a majority of the council decided that the stream must be fenced to keep children away. Some councillors think this will do away with the need for culverting; others believe that nothing less than culverting will do, and that the fencing is therefore a waste of money.