Mexborough and Swinton Times February 25 1938

Husband Tahes Half Day off To Celebrate

Happy Darfield Couple

Mrs. Annie Caroline Ashley and her husband, Mr. Henry Albert ( Harry) Ashley, of Park Cottages, Darfield Bridge, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Monday. They were married at the old Parish Church, Wombwell, by the Rev. A. E. Flaxman, on February 21st, 1888. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ashley are70 years of age, only a couple of months dividing their ages.

Mrs. Ashley is a native of Darfield, a village of which she is particularly proud. She was born in one of the Old Station Cottages, where she spent her girlhood. Mr. Ashley is a native of Lincolnshire. He still works on the Middlewood Hall estate, where he has been employed as a labourer by the Taylor family for over 35 years. Proudly Mrs. Ashley displayed to our representative a telegram of congratulation from Colonel Wilson, of Hooton Pagnell (secretary to the estate), which they received on Monday morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Ashley have a grown up family of two sons and six daughters, all of whom reside in and around the district. With the exception of one all are married. Their eldest son is 49, and the “baby” of the family is 29. There are twenty-five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

The family, together with their wives and husbands, are never happier than when visiting their parents. The anniversary was celebrated on Sunday and Monday by family gatherings. .A beautiful iced golden wedding cake was presented to them by an old friend, Mrs. Greenwood, of Snape Mill. was much in  evidence. Mr. Ashley had a half-day off work to mark the happy occasion.