A former baker well known in the town, Mr. George S. Lyne recalls working from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and holds that the longer working hours and small wages brought more contentment than conditions do to-day.

For sixpence—and giving a farthing change—he would sell to a customer: a loaf twist (1d.), 2 ozs. of cheese (1d.), 1 pint of beer (2d.), half an ounce of shag (l½d.) and a box of matches (¼d.).

These were reminiscences of Mr. Lyne when he was interviewed on the occasion of his golden wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyne were married at St. Mary's Church, Rushden, on June 16th 1897, by the curate (the Rev. Mr. Blunt), and they celebrated the anniversary in the Church Institute on Saturday. Among the 45 guests were all their nine children and 11 grandchildren—one only three weeks old.

The couple are both 72 years of age Mr. Lyne, a native of Odell, came to the town as a youth and was apprenticed to the bakery trade first with Mr Myers at the corner of Queen-street and Park-road, and then with Mr. Ette in Ebenezer-terrace.

Eventually he arrived at Mr. Robinson Burton's shop in Crabb-street, and met the daughter, Miss Beatrice Annie Burton, destined to become Mrs. Lyne.

In time the couple married and took over the bakery, outhouse and beer licence business for the next 50 years. They gave it up last November and have lived in Newton-road since April.

A Tory of firm conviction, Mr. Lyne was a worker for the Conservative movement in earlier days and a member of the local Conservative Club.