About 40 relatives and friends gathered in Ringstead Methodist Schoolroom on Saturday to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs R Cottingham of High-street, Ringstead, who were married at Denford Parish Church on March 26rh 1894.

Both Mr and Mrs Cottingham enjoy fairly good health for their 71 and 70 years respectively. Mr Cottingham is a native of the village and after working on local farms and also in the shoe trade went to Canada for four years returning to work at the iron foundry of Messrs Smith and Grace, Thrapston.

Mrs Cottingham is a native of Denford, being a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Groom of Denford. Her father was killed at the Islip Furnaces when she was 16 years of age.

Among the relatives present at Saturday’s anniversary celebrations were the two sons Mr B Cottingham, Thrapston and Mr S Cottingham, Rushden, and the daughter Mrs R Gold, Ringstead, and three grandchildren.

The festivities included an entertainment by McQuisto (Mr F B Crouch, Woodford) and Mr Willis Rands (elocutionist), Raunds, and community singing. Many messages of congratulations were received from friends and there were numerous presents. The toast to the host and hostess were proposed in a happy and reminiscent vein by Mr C Arnold of Denford, and Mr H Major of Ringstead.