The oldest couple in Chelveston, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Allen, of Pretoria Cottages, passed an important mile-stone on Tuesday, when they celebrated the diamond anniversary of their wedding.
Mr. Allen, now 82, is a native of Polebrook, near Oundle, and his wife hailed from Nassington. They went to Chelveston 40 years ago. At the age of eight Mr. Allen began to earn his living by milking cows, and he was a milkman and shepherd for the rest of his working days, retiring when he was 78.
Neither husband nor wife enjoys the best of health to-day, and Mrs. Allen has unfortunately been bedridden during the last 8½ years, but Mr. Allen takes a pride in his job at "head cook and bottle washer" and does all the household duties.
There were eleven children of the marriage, and four sons and five daughters are living. Nineteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild complete the family tree.
The children are Mr. Lewis Allen, Alfred-street, Rushden, Mrs. Janet Watts, Caldecott, Mrs. Joe Allen, Wellingborough, Mrs. S. Bird, Stanwick, Mr. G. Allen, Chelveston, Mr. F. Allen, Little-street, Rushden, Mrs. Palmer, Yarwell, near Peterborough, and the twins—Mrs. Dawkes, Kimbolton, and Mrs. Britten, Chelveston.
For health reasons Mr. and Mrs. Allen had to forego any formal celebrations on Tuesday, but they were visited by their children and received many congratulations and presents from the parishioners.
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