The Langport and Somerton Herald, March 22 1930
SIXTY YEARS OF HAPPY MARRIED LIFE
THORNEY COUPLES' DIAMOND WEDDING
On Monday Mr. and Mrs. John England, of Thorney, Kingsbury Episcopi, celebrated their diamond wedding, it being sixty years ago that they were married at Kingsbury Episcopi church by the late Rev.. C. Southey, who was at that time vicar of the parish.
It may well be called a double event, because on Monday Mrs. England celebrated her 86th birthday, and she still enjoys good health.
Mr. England, who is in his 84th year, also enjoys good health. This he attributes to plenty of hard work. "I still do a little every day." he said; and when seen by a "Langport & Somerton Herald" representative on Tuesday, he had just finished wheeling some hedge trimmings to a suitable place to burn them.
In March 1870, on the 17th day of the month, Mr. England married Miss Rhoda Gummer and the same week, for the wedding day was on a Sunday, he sailed for America.
"I was in America nearly five years" said Mr. England, "and on my return I worked for Mr. John Bradford for about three and a half years, until one day I cut my hand and was unable to resume work with him again."
"I then proceeded to start a fruiterer's business on my own and I travelled for miles around with a donkey and cart selling my fruit."
"About five years ago," continued Mr. England, "I stopped taking around fruit, but I still do a bit of work in my orchard."
Mr. England said he had thirty trees in the orchard all of which he has grown from apple pips.
He still grafts his own trees and says that if he can't get anyone to prune them for him this year he will do them himself.
"I don't go about much now, unless it is about my own place," remarked Mr. England, "but last Tuesday I went to Langport Market, but I have to be very careful this weather, not to catch cold." "We kept up the occasion on Monday night," continued Mr. England, "there were some friends present and we will be keeping it up again to-night."
HIS EARLY LIFE.
Mr. England was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas England, of Kingsbury Episcopi, and when he was a small boy he went to live with his grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. England, and at the time he was about 14 years old, he was forced to earn his own living owing to the death of his grand-parents.
He first worked on a farm for Mr. Henry England at the rate of 1s. 6d. per day, but after two more changes of employment he obtained work at Ilton, when the Chard and Taunton railway line was being constructed.
He then returned to Thorney and for three years he was engaged in the withy industry under Mr. Bradford.
SERVED IN THE ARMY.
In 1876, again taken with the "wander-lust," he enlisted in the Militia in the 1st Somersets. Mr. England is still very proud of a coloured photograph of himself with his red uniform on.
In the fall of the same year he went to work at Little Toller, near Maiden Newton, but in the following spring he was called back to Taunton Barracks to put in his training.
A TOTAL ABSTAINER.
Mr. England has been a total abstainer for about 40 years. "Now and then I still get a touch of rheumatism in my legs, but otherwise considering my age I remain in the best of health."
We are sure our readers will join in the hope that Mr. and Mrs. England may be spared to each other for some years yet, and congratulate them on 60 years of happy married life. Mr. and Mrs. England have been regular readers of the "Langport & Somerton Herald" for a great many years.