 Mr and Mrs Alfred Clayton of 22 Kings-road, Rushden, who celebrated their golden wedding last Saturday, are typical of the people who have given Rushden its present place in the sun. They claim nothing more than to have worked hard, looked after their home and family, and followed a simple and sober way of life.
With the exception of six years during boyhood, Mr Clayton has spent the whole of his life in his native Rushden. He was the son of a farm employee, but his own work was in the boot trade, and his first job was to help the late Mr Joseph Knight as a hand finisher working in a back shop in Orchard-place. When he went “inside” it was to begin a long term with Messrs Ebenezer Claridge, who he served — for 28 years as foreman finisher — until his retirement 13 years ago.
At one time Mr Clayton often helped to organise flower and poultry shows and was active as a bell-ringer.
Mrs Clayton was born at Croydon and first saw Rushden as a girl of 11, when she came to stay with the late Mr and Mrs W H Darnell in Church-street. It was at Croydon Parish Church that the wedding took place.
Mr Clayton is 80 and can remember when, with the exception of a windmill and a farm house, there were no buildings in Rushden to the west of William Colson’s boot factory (now the Adult School).
“We have had decent constitutions and good health,” he told our reporter. “Yes” said Mrs Clayton, “and we have not abused them.”
Mrs Clayton is 76 and declares she is now working harder than ever.
The family comprises Miss Frances Clayton, Mrs Courtney, of Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Mr W A Clayton of Northampton, and Mr Len Clayton, of Coventry. Five of them were at one time together on the teaching staff of St Mary’s Sunday School.
There are three grandchildren.
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