An interesting and somewhat unique occasion was the golden wedding celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eady of Raunds, on the Monday of last week, when three generations of the family assembled under the parental roof to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding which took place on December 27^th 1870 at St. Peter’s Church Raunds.

The following members of the family were present- Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Bradshaw and three daughters of Birmingham; Mr. and Mrs. W. Eady and family of Raunds; Mr. and Mrs. Childs-Meadows and daughter of Chelveston; Mrs. Eady (widow of the late Mr. H. Eady) and son of Chelveston; Miss A. Eady of Raunds; and Mr. R. Eady of Chester.

The celebrations were continued on Tuesday, when Mr. and Mrs. Eady entertained the members of the church and congregation of the Raunds Baptist Chapel in the Schoolrooms to tea at five o’clock, followed by a full and varied programme in the evening. Amongst those present besides the members of the family, were Mr. J. and Miss Thompson of Manchester; Mrs Abbott of Wellingborough; Miss D. Eady of Thrapston; Mr. and Mrs. H. Lovell of Stanwick; Mr. and Mrs. Bennett of Rushden; and about one hundred of the members of the church and congregation.

In proposing the health of Mr. and Mrs. Eady, Mr. Bennett said that for the last forty two years Raunds Baptist Chapel had had two stalwart friends and faithful workers in Mr. and Mrs. Eady, whose career had been blessed and whose influence had been definitely for good on those whose privilege it was to be associated with them. Mr. Lot Witney, one of the present deacons, in seconding the toast, presented Mrs. Eady , on behalf of the Deacons and friends with a beautifully bound volume of Denham’s hymns and a similar token of gratitude was shown to Mr. Eady by Mr. Peacock, who supported the motion, which was carried enthusiastically by the audience rising.

Mr. Eady was placed on the deaconate of the Church forty two years ago and had served continuously right up to the present; and Mrs. Eady, for practically the same period, had carried out the duties of secretary to the Church arranging for some thousands of preaching appointments. Mr. and Mrs. Eady, in thanking the friends for the way in which they had expressed their kindness and goodwill hoped that the work of the Church in which they had been engaged for so long would continue to prosper.

Mr. and Mrs. Eady both joined the Sunday School at its formation and every member of the family had been through the Sunday School in their turn. During the decade of 1850-1860 the work of the Church was, perhaps, the most prosperous, for families came for miles around Sunday by Sunday to worship within its walls.

Mrs. Eady heartily commended the way in which her married life was commenced. She spoke of it being launched in the spirit of prayer and she wished to testify to the goodness of Almighty God during the past fifty years. She hoped that both she and Mr. Eady would be spared to further the work of God in their midst for some years to come.

Mr. J. Thompson, of Manchester, then spoke on “Some Reflections of the Past” and by reference to his diary of fifty years ago was able to relate several pleasing episodes which had occurred in connection with the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eady. Reference was made to a fire which broke out at Eady’s Farm when Mr. Eady was a boy, and in the absence of his parents, and with his younger brothers, he did his best to protect his father’s property. The scene of excitement was soon thronged by many anxious people for miles around, amongst whom was a little girl of six or seven years of age, wearing a white pinafore, who was afterwards to become the bride of the eldest brother. She was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Thompson of Napleton Lodge, Raunds, the present Mrs. Eady.

After the Doxology had been sung, the friends adjourned to the Chapel, where an organ recital was given by Mr. Pulpher, the organist, and afterwards to the Schoolroom to a musical evening arranged by Mr. R. Eady of Chester. The first part of the programme was devoted to the children and consisted of the usual games competitions, songs etc., for which Mr. and Mrs. Eady’s grandchildren were responsible. Each taking part in the proceedings.

After the refreshments interval, further speeches were made. Old fashioned carols and hymns were sung, and prayers of thanksgiving were offered before the happy and unique celebrations were concluded.