A golden wedding celebration of more than usual interest took place on Tuesday in St. Peter’s Room, the hosts being Mr. and Mrs. George Wooding, of 34 Midland-road, Rushden.  They entertained over 60 guests to a sumptuous tea and a social evening greatly enjoyed by all.

  The company included the Rev. G. A. and Mrs. Wooding (son and daughter-in-law), who came from Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, specially for the occasion, the Rev. J. B. Goodridge, of the Park-road Wesleyan Church, Rushden;  Mr. and Mrs. G. Parker (brother-in-law and sister of Mr. Wooding), who were respectively best man and a bridesmaid at the wedding 50 years ago;  and Mr. Harry Wooding (brother of Mr. G. Wooding), who was also present at the wedding of his brother.  The reunion of five people after exactly 50 years in such circumstances was a remarkable and happy feature of the party on Tuesday.

  Mr. G. Wooding was born at Newton Bromshold in 1849, and Mrs. Wooding, formerly Miss A. Warner and now 71 years of age, was a native of Finedon.  Mr. Wooding went to Finedon to live when he was a young man.  On July 6^th, 1876, in Finedon Parish Church Mr. Wooding was married to Miss Warner by the Rev. (afterwards Canon) G. Paul.  About four years later they came to Rushden.  Thus they have seen the growth of the town during nearly 46 years.  When they arrived in Rushden there were only four roads – Higham-road, Bedford-road, Wellingborough-road, and Newton-road.  There was a narrow footpath and stiles (now Fitzwilliam-street) connecting Wellingborough-road with a very

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(now College-street).  The site on which the Palace stands was the site of Mr. John Cave’s original factory, which was burnt down before the factory which was on the present market-place was built, the firm having suffered two factory fires.  The Mill House (near the present Windmill Club) was the only dwelling in that area, which was of fields for a long way round, since being developed into a network of streets and dwellings.

  Mr. Wooding worked in the shoe trade when work was mostly done at home, and afterwards for 13 years was in charge of the engine-room at Messrs. B. Ladds’s factory.  Mr. and Mrs. Wooding have lived in their present house 30 years.  Last year, on the completion by Mr. G. Wooding of 50 years’ service as a Wesleyan lay preacher, The Rushden Echo published an interesting article on his experiences.  Mr. and Mrs. Wooding’s surviving children are Mr. Charles S. Wooding, Mr. Herbert Wooding, Miss Rose Wooding, the Rev. G. A. Wooding, Mrs. Avery (Finedon), Mrs. Haseldine (Raunds), Mrs. G. Wildman, and Miss W. Wooding.  Two children died in infancy.  There are five grandchildren living.  All the children have long been associated with the Wesleyan Methodist cause.  Mr. C. S. Wooding was for a number of years organist of the Park-road Wesleyan Church and is now society steward.  Mr. H. Wooding is Captain of the Boys’ Brigade and Miss W. Wooding succeeded her sister (Mrs. Wildman) as Captain of the Girls’ Brigade.  Mrs. Avery and Mrs. Haseldine hold offices in the Finedon and Raunds Wesleyan Churches respectively.  Since she resigned the captaincy of the Girls’ Brigade at the Park-road Wesleyan Church Mrs. Wildman has led the primary department of the Wesleyan Reform Mission Sunday School.

  At the festivities on Tuesday complimentary speeches were made by Mr. G. Parker, Mr. A. Gadsby, the Rev. J. B. Goodridge, Mr. T. Warner (Mrs. Wooding’s brother), and Mr. Harry Wooding.  Responding for their parents, the Rev. G. A. and Mr. H. Wooding thanked the guests for their kind expressions and assured them that the children were trying to follow the good example and traditions set by the parents.  (Applause).  During the evening songs were rendered by Miss W. Wooding and duets by Mrs. Wildman and Mrs. Haseldine.