FIFTY years ago on Thursday, Mr. and Mrs. John Curtis stood at the altar in St. Matthew's Church, Skegness, and said "I will." It was a beautiful, sunny and frosty Thursday morning.
But 50 years later on the same date another Thursday to be exact, the sun didn't shine on this 76-year-old couple who live at 12 Elizabeth Grove, Skegness. Instead, it was a cold, damp day, snowing and raining.
Thursday was the couple's golden wedding anniversary. And they weren't the only ones to remember 18th February, 1915, as a " Big Day." For the day before their 50th anniversary, the only bridesmaid at their wedding, the bride's sister, now Mrs. Doris Grant, of Wainfleet, arrived on the doorstep carrying flowers for the " bride," as she had done once before.
Thursday was the couple's golden wedding anniversary. And they weren't the only ones to remember 18th February, 1915, as a " Big Day." For the day before their 50th anniversary, the only bridesmaid at their wedding, the bride's sister, now Mrs. Doris Grant, of Wainfleet, arrived on the doorstep carrying flowers for the " bride," as she had done once before.
BOW ON WHIP
Looking back on that bright February morning, Mrs. Curtis, who is now handicapped by arthritis, recalled: " My mother so wanted the wedding breakfast to be at our home in Wainfleet, that we had to travel there from Skegness in a landau. No taxis in those days, you know, and the only place we could have white ribbon was as a white bow on the whip !
"We spent our honeymoon in Wainfleet," she added.
As it happens, the couple met in Lumley Road, Skegness, at the age of 17, Mr. Curtis, who came to Skegness from Nottingham at the age of seven, has been a master plasterer for most of his life, apart from a short period in the grocery business. His wife, formerly Miss Lily Toyne, born at Wainfleet, has spent her 50 years Of married life as a housewife.
Over the years Mr. Curtis, who Is a very well-known Skegnessian, did a lot of work for Butlin's Limited when the first camp came into being. He also worked on the Imperial Ballroom, Lloyds Bank and various other large Premises in the town. He retired 13 years ago at the age of 63. His Plastering business became a family concern when his two sons joined him.
During the 1914-18 war. Mr. Curtis joined the army in the West Yorkshire Regiment, although he did not leave the country as a soldier.
When Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were first married they lived at Auckland Villas, Grosvenor Road, Skegness , (left of photo)
Looking back on that bright February morning, Mrs. Curtis, who is now handicapped by arthritis, recalled: " My mother so wanted the wedding breakfast to be at our home in Wainfleet, that we had to travel there from Skegness in a landau. No taxis in those days, you know, and the only place we could have white ribbon was as a white bow on the whip !
"We spent our honeymoon in Wainfleet," she added.
As it happens, the couple met in Lumley Road, Skegness, at the age of 17, Mr. Curtis, who came to Skegness from Nottingham at the age of seven, has been a master plasterer for most of his life, apart from a short period in the grocery business. His wife, formerly Miss Lily Toyne, born at Wainfleet, has spent her 50 years Of married life as a housewife.
Over the years Mr. Curtis, who Is a very well-known Skegnessian, did a lot of work for Butlin's Limited when the first camp came into being. He also worked on the Imperial Ballroom, Lloyds Bank and various other large Premises in the town. He retired 13 years ago at the age of 63. His Plastering business became a family concern when his two sons joined him.
During the 1914-18 war. Mr. Curtis joined the army in the West Yorkshire Regiment, although he did not leave the country as a soldier.
When Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were first married they lived at Auckland Villas, Grosvenor Road, Skegness , (left of photo)
and, later, in a house they had built for themselves, " Waynflete," in Cavendish Road. They lived there for 26 years, and they have now lived in Elizabeth Grove for 11 years.
Perhaps one of the nicest surprises on their anniversary day, was when three secondary modern schoolchildren arrived on the doorstep with an armful of flowers, a gift and an anniversary card, which they and form-mates had bought and chosen themselves.
Under an experimental scheme organised by one of their schoolteachers, pupils from the ages of 11 to 13 are now visiting the handicapped of Skegness after school, to help with the odd jobs and errands around the house.
Perhaps one of the nicest surprises on their anniversary day, was when three secondary modern schoolchildren arrived on the doorstep with an armful of flowers, a gift and an anniversary card, which they and form-mates had bought and chosen themselves.
Under an experimental scheme organised by one of their schoolteachers, pupils from the ages of 11 to 13 are now visiting the handicapped of Skegness after school, to help with the odd jobs and errands around the house.
HOME-HELPS
Mrs. Curtis' junior home-helps are twins, Peter and Pauline Walker, and Jane Wood, all of Skegness. On Thursday morning, after they had given Mr. and Mrs. Curtis their anniversary card, the embroidered pillowcases and the bunch of daffodils, they arranged all the flowers and cards the couple had received.
Mrs. Curtis was full of praise for these children who bring a good deal of gaiety into the home of someone who rarely moves from her front door, even though she is a gay, talkative, white-haired housewife !
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have not had a celebration party — just relays of visits from friends and family.
One visitor at the weekend was their only daughter from Redcar in Yorkshire, Mrs. Jean Scowen. Other visitors have included their two sons from Winthorpe, Charles and Frank Curtis.
Mrs. Curtis' junior home-helps are twins, Peter and Pauline Walker, and Jane Wood, all of Skegness. On Thursday morning, after they had given Mr. and Mrs. Curtis their anniversary card, the embroidered pillowcases and the bunch of daffodils, they arranged all the flowers and cards the couple had received.
Mrs. Curtis was full of praise for these children who bring a good deal of gaiety into the home of someone who rarely moves from her front door, even though she is a gay, talkative, white-haired housewife !
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have not had a celebration party — just relays of visits from friends and family.
One visitor at the weekend was their only daughter from Redcar in Yorkshire, Mrs. Jean Scowen. Other visitors have included their two sons from Winthorpe, Charles and Frank Curtis.
Photo: Against a background of anniversary cards and one of the three cakes they were given, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis stand in their home with 50 years of marriage to their credit. (Photo : Norman Beckett.)
Source: Skegness Standard 24th February 1965
Whilst the story tells us that John Curtis came to Skegness from Nottingham, the family was established in Skegness in 1828. Mr Curtis lived in Nottingham temporarily as a child.
No comments:
Post a Comment