Silver Wedding – Presentations to Rushden Manufacturers

Over 150 guests assembled at the B.W.T.A. Hall, Rushden, on Thursday, to celebrate the silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Durham, of the firm Messrs Catling and Durham, heel manufacturers, Rushden.

A fine spread was provided and fully enjoyed, after which Mr. F. Lawson, of Wellingborough, voiced the sentiments of those assembled. They were all happy, he said, to be present on such an occasion. (Applause) After having been happily married 25 years, Mr. and Mrs. Durham had invited that very large company in order to exercise their parental instincts. (Laughter) Proceeding, he remarked on the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Durham had remained very youthful, and had spent 25 years of married life without a grey hair showing. They all wished to express from their hearts their hearty congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Mr. E. H. Blunsom also wished Mr. and Mrs. Durham a happy future. He said he felt like the Bishop who had “a feeling I fell you all feel.” (Laughter) That was to wish joy and success to their friends their hosts. (Applause) Married life sat lightly upon Mr. and Mrs. Durham, and he hoped it would continue to do so. (Applause)

Mrs. Durham thanked the company for their good wishes in a graceful speech.

The tables were then cleared, and dancing and games were enjoyed, the music being provided by the Adult School Band. The following contributed to a really fine concert: The Adult School Choir, Miss Catlin, Messrs. F. Ingram, Bert Sanders, J. Shatford, Neal, and “The Angelus Quartette,” by special request.

During the evening Mr. Bert Sanders, the conductor, on behalf of the choir, presented Mr. and Mrs. Durham with a beautiful silver teapot, with a suitable inscription. The employees of Messrs. Catling and Durham gave the celebrants a silver egg cruet.

Mr. Bert Sanders made the arrangements for the social and acted as M.C. Mr. Durham has been a member of the Adult School for 14 years, and Mrs. Durham is a member of the Board of Guardians, serving on the Boarding-Out, the Management, and the Tenders’ Committees. She has done much useful public work, and has been associated with the Red Cross workers in Rushden since their formation. She has for five years occupied her position as secretary of the Rushden Women’s Adult School.