Kettering Civic Society
Newsletter 8 (2005)

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2005 Silver Rose Bowl Presentation
to Ron Greenall at Kettering Library on 11th June

This year the Society had much pleasure in presenting this prestigious award to Ron Greenall for his services to the community, for inspiring a curiosity in local history, and for the books that he has written, particularly for his book "The History of Kettering". His histories of Kettering have been accepted as a serious contribution to recording the civic scene during the 19th and 20th century. Ron has longstanding connections with the Society most recently speaking to large audiences about his books during our Christmas social gatherings at Wicksteed Park .

The presentation was hosted by Kettering library, and we thank Ann Lovely and her team for making us welcome.

Former headmaster and local author, lan Addis spoke about Ron's career, as did Erie Wright, Director of Community Services and Libraries.

Ron Greenall is a leading Northamptonshire historian having been active in teaching since coming to the area in the 1960's. Now retired, he was for many years the Warden of the University Centre in Northampton , run by Leicester University 's Adult Education Department. There, and in other places in the country, he taught local history for the University and the Workers' Educational Association. He is involved with the Northamptonshire Record Society, first as a member, then on its Council, he has been editor of its journal Northamptonshire Past and Present for 17 years.

CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE MOSAIC

A wonderful mosaic created by the Artist Kenneth Budd is a powerful gesture on the front of Tresharn Institutes Windmill Avenue Campus. The Mosaic tells in a stylised form the history of Kettering and may be seen as the modem interpretation of the town's Coat of Arms.
Kettering Grammar School founded in 1577 in Gold Street grew with both its success and rising town population. A new school was built in Bowling Green Road, which served the town well and was eventually replaced by a new school in Windmill Avenue. To mark its growth and acknowledge its success and relationship with the town, a large Mosaic was erected on the front of the latest school.

Tresham Institute now occupies the school site and a new college has been granted planning consent. It will replace the present building and Kettering's Civic Society is anxious to see the Mosaic saved when the rest of the building is demolished.

Many towns' people will have been educated at the Grammar School and its fine record is something for Kettering to be proud of. Equally, the towns history both of its people and businesses shows Kettering people to be ingenious, hardworking and resourceful.

As an artistic record of all our success, the Kettering Mosaic must be saved and the creative work of Kenneth Budd preserved for future generations.

Oliver Budd, the son of the artist continues with his father's business and has surveyed the Mosaic presenting the Society with a report which stated that it would be possible to remove the mural safely and reposition it.

With this information, the Society has been working with Chris Hole, Tresham. College's New Build Co-ordinator and we have been in communication with Kettering Borough Council. Support has been sought from the Twentieth Century Society, and the Arts Council.

Kettering's Member of Parliament, Philip Hollobone is taking a keen interest in our campaign.
The Society is hoping to raise £80,000 for this operation and suggestions for a suitable site would be welcomed from you.

Your support is appreciated

A thank -you is extended to those who contacted the Society with details of Oliver Budd, we were delighted to meet him. Thank you to Mike Ward for sending us a wonderful photograph taken in 1962 of Ken Budd with the Ward family.

Your membership of the Society is valued. Events that are planned are intended to be fun and some assist in fundraising for the Blue Plaques and now the Mosaic Campaign. Please continue to support the Society.