Mexborough and Swinton Times December 2, 1939
50 Years as Partners
Mr. and Mrs. W. Simpson, Of Wombwell
Wedding Hitch Recalled
Mr. and Mrs. William Simpson, of 54, Hawson Street. Wombwell are preparing a party for a week next Friday. On that date fifty years ago they were married at Wombwell Parish Church by the Rev. Wilmot W. Ware, a curate under the Rev. A. E. Flaxman. They have cause to remember the day because when they arrived at church there had been some hitch and a long search had to be made before the officiating clergyman could be found. In the circumstances it was not surprising that he found himself a bit flustered. When he asked the bridegroom, “Wilt thou take this woman to be thy wedded husband?” Mr. Simpson thought it was time to remonstrate with him. However, they were well and truly “hitched” and neither has rued the bargain.
Born Near Barnsley
Mr. Simpson who is 78, was born at Gawber, near Barnsley, the son of a handloom weaver, an occupation in which many Barnsley people were engaged in those days. Mr. Simpson, whose quaint expressions frequently amuse his friends, remarked to a “Times” reporter, “I started near the workhouse and supppse I shall finish up there some day.” His children, of whom there ar seven living (three daughters and four sons) know better.
At twelve years of age Mr. Simpson started to work at Higham Colliery, near Gawber and continued hi pit work up to 1922. Most of his working life was spent at Mitchell Main, Darfield Main p and Wombwell Main, though for a time he was employed at Manvers. Speaking of his associations with Mitchell Main, c he referred to the late Mr. William Washington, an old photograph of whom appeared m this paper recently, as the best gaffer who ever rode a rope.” That was the pit he liked best.
Working at Eight
Mrs. Simpson was born at Ardsley , near Barnsley, a daughter of a miner named Joseph Rodwell, who was also a native of that village. When she was only eight she earned a shilling or two towards her keep by minding babies, and at fourteen went out to domestic service. She was married at the age of twenty from Hawson Street, and has lived there all her married life with the exception of a few weeks at Stairfoot during the ’93 strike.
Mr. Simpson has had a long association with the nonconformist churches at Wombwell, being at one time or another attached to the Methodist Church in Capturing, the Wesleyan Reform Church in George Street and the salvation Army, which the couple now 10.
Mrs Mr Simpson was a local preacher for 50 years, before the advent of the bus is used often to walk as much as 20 miles on Sunday to fulfil piecing engagement. Parkgate and Thurnscoe were places he visited regularly.
Mitchell Main Scorer
For many years Mr Simpson was scorer for the Mitchell Main and Wombwell 30 Cricket Clubs. You’re no particular interest in the game but enjoyed making himself useful. He has been a very useful servant to Mitchell Main cricket
Asked what, her views of modern life were. Mrs. Simpson said girls of the present day obviously have a much better time than she enjoyed. All same she thinks there is not the say contentment, and she cannot say that the girls nowadays are any happier for all the entertainments available to them. Young people in her days used to make their own enjoyment and had little to spend in dress and make-up.
If all the descendants of Mr and Mrs, Simpson turn un for the Golden wedding party there will be an acute housing problem at 54, Hawson Street In addition to seven children, the old couple have sixteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, the oldest of the latter being four years of age.