COUNTRY WEDDING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 26 August 1936, Page 2

COUNTRY WEDDING

N.Z. BRIDEGROOM AND BRIDE LONDON, Aug. 1. Mr. J. R. Page, Lieutenant, K.an'.Z.A. (Invercargill), and Miss Betty Pension biunaell (Hawkes Bay) decided that, as they were so far away from New Zealand, they would preier to have a quiet wedding in the country, states a London correspondent. Accordingly, they were married in Kent on July 30, at the little fifteenth century church of West Wickham, which stands practically in tne park of Wickham Court. This church is oi great interest to' antiquarians. Wickham Court was once known as Havers Castle, the residence oi Sil John Heydon, uncle of Anne Boleyn. Anne was sent from Court to nei father’s home, Hever; Henry Vlli spurred down from Windsor, and at Wickham, in the long avenue of yewhedges, they met and their vows were renewed. The Coat of Arms of Henry and Anne are still to be seen in the stained glass windows, their initials are carved on the great fireplace, and “Queen Anc's Walk” is still associated with the avenue of yew. The Manor of Wickham is mentioned in Domesday Book. The present Tudor residence, on the site of the Manor, was built in 1467. During the Wars of the Roses it was strongly fortified. Towards the end of the sixteenth century the Manor became the property of the Lennard family, and now it is a very charming country guest house. Across the park, amid the trees, Mr. J. L. Blundell,* with his daughter, walked to the church, followed by the bridesmaids. It was a pretty sight to see the procession winding in and out among the trees on the most perfect summer day—the only real summer day of the season! The church was bowered in pink ramblers. The marriage took place beneath pergolas of roses, for the ancient root is under repair, and the scaffold uprights and crossbars were twined round and round with the roses springing from tubs. White Harissi lilies were on the altar, and pink gladioli were in the chancel. About sixty guests were invited, most of them being New Zealand relatives and friends. The ceremony, during which several hymns were sung (one being the bride’s old school hymn, “Father, Before Thy Throne of Light”), was conducted by the Rev. C. K. Percival Smith. Mr. B. P. Blundell, A./Pilot-Olficer, R. was best man. At the conclusion of the service the organist played Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, and the bridal party, with the guests, re- 1 turned by the woodland walk to Wickham Court. Mr. and Mrs. Blundell received their guests in the old library. Mrs.' Blundell was in a becoming dress of duck-egg blue French crepe, with sash of duck-egg blue French crepe, with sash of dark prune, and a small toque of the same rich hue, a spray of orchids repeating the same tint, giving an additional hint of the same uncommon colour. The health of the young people was proposed by Mr. J. C. Peacock. Later on many photographs were taken in the gardens. The bride and bridegroom left for a motor tour, the bride wearing a tailored two-piece of dove-grey, with belt of emerald and a felt hat of the same colour. Mr. Page is still at Woolwich, taking special courses. On October 2 he and his bride will leave for NevZealand by the Mataroa. FLAG BRIDGE PARTY AT “RCNGAPUKE,” SANSON Vivid pink double blossoms, camellias, vases of violets and cheery log fires lent a festive air to the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Collier, “Rungapuke,” Sanson, on Friday evening when a very enjoyable flag bridge evening was held at their home to assist the local candidates in the baby carnival at present being held by the Feilding Plunket Society. Mrs. Collier received the guests wearing a charming frock of brown, with taffeta sash and applique. After a delightful supper had been served by Mrs. Collier and members of the local committee present, Mrs. J. H. Perrett (patroness), in the absence of the president, Mrs. Rex. McKelvie, expressed the thanks of the society and Mr. and Mrs. Collier for arranging such a pleasant evening and said that all hoped their president would soon recover from her indisposition. The prize-winners for the evening were: Mr. A. J. Shaw, Mrs. Ray Scott, Mrs. M. McDonell, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Rowan and Mrs. J. Currie. Among those present were:—Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Collier, Mrs. J. H. Perrett, Miss D. Perrett, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Shaw (Bulls), Mr. and Mrs. J. Gibbons (Carnarvon), Mr. and Mrs. Ray Scott (Ohakea). Mrs. K. Scott (Parewanui), Mrs. H. Russell (Parewanui), Mrs. G. Phillips (Feilding), Mrs. D. Wilson (Bulls), Mr. and Mrs. S. Parks, Mr. and Mrs. A. Campbell, Miss J. Campbell (Feilding), Mr. and Mrs. Ewen (Feilding), Mr. and Mrs. Barron (Feilding), Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Bradley (Mt. Stewart), Miss B. Gibbons (Carnarvon), Misses M. and K. Amon (Bulls), Mrs. Swainson (Bulls), Mrs. Fisher (Bulls), Misses Paterson, Broughton (Bulls), Mrs. C. Duncan (Bulls), Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Eglinton, Mr. and Mrs. O. Ellerm (Sanson), Mrs. R. Anderson (Ohakea), Miss M. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. P. Scott (Bulls), Mr. and Mrs. McDonell (Ohakea), Mr. and Mrs. B. Lawrence, Mrs. J. Currie, Mrs. T. A. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Rowan, Miss I. Scott (Carnarvon), Messrs. A. Stewart, C. Guscott, L. Whisker (Bulls), and J. Gibbons, junr. (Rongotea).