WATSON AND WILKINSON. DOUBLE WEDDING

[Stanley]

WATSON AND WILKINSON
ECHO OF AN EARBY DOUBLE WEDDING
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
BROTHER AND SISTER’S PROUD ACHIEVEMENT
There was surely no happier tea-table gathering than that in Earby on Wednesday in celebration of a unique event - the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of a local brother and sister, which took place simultaneously at Thornton-in-Craven Parish Church on April 10th. The parties were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Watson, and Mr. and Mrs. John Edmondson Wilkinson, of Whitehouse Farm, Earby. Mr. Wilkinson and Mrs Watson are the brother and sister concerned. All four are hale and hearty and are able to carry out their daily work with energy that many a middle aged person might envy. Mr. Watson will be 70 next month, Mrs. Watson is 72, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson are 74 and 75 respectively. With the exception of Mrs. Wilkinson, who was born at Lothersdale, they are natives of the Earby district and are thoroughly familiar with its communal development.

A notable circumstance is that although there are altogether nine children and eleven grandchildren, there has been no death in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have for sons and three daughters, while the other couple have one son and one daughter. They are all well known in the district, the eldest son, Mr. Edgar Watson, being one of the most successful poultry breeders in the North of England.

For the past forty five years Mr. Watson has been in business as a joiner and contractor and has carried out important public works in the neighbourhood, including the interior construction of the Earby Parish Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Sunday School, and the Conservative and Liberal Clubs. He is also interested in the cotton trade, being a director of the Earby Shed Company and the firm of Messrs. C.W. Bailey Ltd., Spring Mill, Earby. For many years he has been a prominent member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church and holds the position of Senior Deacon and treasurer, distinctions which also came to his father.

A 74th BIRTHDAY
Mrs. Watson and Mr. Wilkinson are the children of the late Mr. Joseph Wilkinson, whose forefathers farmed in the Earby district for nearly two centuries. The significance of Wednesday’s anniversary was enhanced by the fact that it was Mr. Wilkinson’s 74th birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, prior to taking over Whitehouse Farm, occupied Gusbill Farm, Earby, which had been in the possession of the family for many years. Mr Wilkinson is still able to superintend the work of the farm, although he does not often go out in the colder weather. His wife was Miss Susannah Brown before her marriage, and came of a widely known Lothersdale family.

The wedding ceremony was performed by the late Canon Morris, and the party had to drive to the church in a modest vehicle drawn by a single horse. Only one of the witnesses survives, and he is Mr. J. Holgate (75) , who still lives in Earby.

In an interview with a Craven Herald representative, Mr Watson expressed the view that marriage was a fine institution if only people made up their minds to pull together. Mr. Watson was educated at the Old Earby Grammar School, premises now occupied by the Earby branch of the Junior Imperial League, and also travelled on one of the first trains that ran between Earby and Barnoldswick.

Both couples have been the recipients of numerous congratulations, many in letter form, and the celebration tea party, which took place in the Baptist Sunday School, was a delightful affair.
Craven Herald 12th April 1929
Transcribed by Bob Abel, used with his permission.
These articles also appear on the Earby & District Local History Society web site