The festivities were kept at the Neptune Inn, Newport Pagnell, which is the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pettit, son-in-law and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lack, and the arrangements they made for the enjoyment of the guests were very admirable in every respect. Following an excellent repast there were the congratulatory speeches. Mr. Negus, an old friend of the family, proposed the toast of Mr. and Mrs. Lack’s health, and having congratulated them on their half-a-century of married life, hoped they might be spared to celebrate their diamond wedding. Mr. Lack made a happy and appropriate reply, and he and Mrs. lack sprang a surprise on their sons and daughters and the grandchildren by presenting each with a piece of gold as a memento of the unique occasion.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Lack were born at Rushden of humble but respectable parentage. Of the 16 children of the marriage ten are still living – six daughters and four sons – all of whom are married and occupying good positions. It is not without interest to mention that nine of the children attended the Church Sunday School at Rushden together, two as class teachers, and seven as scholars. There are 19 grandchildren.

Mr. Lack started work on the land at the early age of seven, and he recalls how he often toiled from daylight to dark at 2s.6d per week. Later he took up shoemaking, and became an expert at the trade. Then he turned his attention to another sphere of activity and became a brewer’s agent, and ultimately entered the licensing business. For more than nine years he was “mine host” of the Neptune Inn, Newport Pagnell, and eleven years ago removed to the Wheatsheaf Inn at Aspley Guise, which license he still holds. His chief hobbies are gardening, pig-keeping, and poultry breeding; and as an exhibitor some few years ago he met with many successes at the poultry shows in the district. Mrs. Lack was one of a family of nine children, and she alone survives of the seven daughters. Her father was for many years the carrier between Rushden and Wellingborough. One of her brothers, Mr. Joseph Warren, now living at Leicester, was present at the golden wedding festivities.

Despite the weight of their more that 70 years, Mr. and Mrs. Lack are still very active and enjoy fairly good health. It redounds to their credit that from humble beginnings they have been able by their industry and thrift to bring up a large family respectably and place them all in good positions. They contemplate shortly giving up business and spending the eventide of their days in well-earned retirement. Their many friends in Newport Pagnell, Aspley Guise, and Rushden will wish them every happiness on passing from active work to the rest which they fully deserve.