After ten, Mr. Ben Vorley said it was not given to every son to attend the golden wedding of his parents. His father and mother had lived in Rushden over 50 years. His father was an Irthlingborough man, but had now resided in Rushden over half a century, so that he knew Rushden when it was a village of 2,000 inhabitants, with rough streets and thatched cottages scattered irregularly along High-street. Now, through the energy and enterprise of the leading men, Rushden possessed road, footpaths, shops, and buildings as good as could be found in many a larger town. (Hear, hear) When his father first came to Rushden there were no shoe factories here, but now they had large factories all around. His father, when he first came to Rushden, was one of the most stubborn opponents of temperance, and seemed to take such a delight in baffling temperance advocates that he resolved to read up the question so as to be prepared with facts and figures to rebut the speeches of the teetotallers. (Laughter) But in reading up to baffle others he himself got baffled, and had to admit they were right and he was wrong. (Laughter and cheers) Thereupon he became a teetotaller, and had been an active temperance and band of hope worker ever since. (Cheers)

Brief congratulatory remarks were made by the three sons-in-law, Mr. Featherstonehaugh, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Jordon, Mr. W. Desborough, Mr. H. D. Walker, Mr. John Claridge, J.P., C.C., and Mrs. B. Vorley.

In acknowledging the congratulations Mr. F. Vorley gave some interesting reminiscences of Rushden as it used to be. He said he could remember when the roads were almost impassable and when Rushden used to be the dirtiest place in the district. The present state of the town showed what could be done by progress and steady improvements.

A brief programme was then given. The Rev. E. Roe presided and heartily congratulated Mr. and Mrs. F. Vorley on celebrating their golden wedding. In those congratulations he represented not only himself but the church and congregation of which Mr. and Mrs. Vorley were members. He prayed that they might have a further long lease of life and the abundant “blessing of God which maketh rich and added no sorrow thereto.”

The following items were rendered:- Recitations, Miss Nash and Miss Featherstonehaugh; songs, Miss F. Vorley, Mr. Walker, Mr. R. Goodwin, Mrs. Bull, Miss Eady, Mr. Bromage and Miss Dorothy Russell. Gramophone selections were given by Miss Chidley (Irthlingborough). The remainder of the evening was spent in social enjoyment, and each guest received a souvenir in the form of some verses composed by Mrs. F. Vorley.

A number of presents were received, including the following:-

Miss Chidley, pillow lace.

Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin, sideboard cloth.

Mrs. C. Bull, Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Wrighton, Mr. and Mrs. George White, and Mrs. Geo. Bull, easy chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Seckington, bouquet.

Miss Carpenter (Welford), night-dress case, hair brush and comb.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (Watford), briar pipe and case.

Miss Nash, photo cabinet.

Mr. Bettles, Spurgeon’s “Salt cellars.”

Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Walker, silver butter knife.

Mrs. Clark, Easter eggs.

Mr. Carpenter, pair of carvers and steel.

Six youngest grandchildren, pair of slippers “for Grandpapa and grandmamma.”

Five elder grandchildren, “Denham’s Selections,” large type edition.

Sons and daughters, purse of gold.

Mr. and Mrs. John Claridge, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Clayton, Misses Cox, and Mr. Herbert Cox, silver hot water jug.

Mrs. Chettle, pillow lace.

Miss Eady, pillow lace.

Mrs. T. Sanders, kid gloves.