Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 25, 1929

To Blackpool

Hemingfield great-grandmother Marvels at the Illuminations

Mrs Mary Jane Auckland, an 18 year old widow, of Tingle Bridge, Hemingfield, has just been to Blackpool to see the illuminations.

Mrs Auckland went from Hoyland with the “Beattie” trip and described the adventure as one of the happiest day she has ever spent.

Accompanying her was her daughter, Mrs Middleton, also of Tingle Bridge – who, by the way, is a grandmother – and a party of friends.

Mrs Middleton, who looks after her mother, says Mrs Auckland was the least fatigued of the whole party. “She was the life and soul of the compartment,” he said, “and was laughing and joking all the way home.”

Mrs Auckland is a native of Huddersfield, but has lived at Wombwell nearly 50 years – for 41 years in the same house at Tingle Bridge.

Her mother, Mrs Williams, used to be landlady of the “Sailors and Miners Arms,” Tingle Bridge, an all-time wharf side Tavern the licence of which was taken away shortly after the war.

Her husband George Auckland, well known in his day as a greengrocer, died about 20 years ago.

Mrs Auckland has had nine children and is at present great grandmother to seven.

Small, but full of life and good spirits, she enjoys perfect health.

When a “Mexborough and Swinton Times” representative called to see her she was washing the cellar floor.

When asked how she was, Mrs Auckland replied “I can do a day’s washing with the next.” Her wrinkled countenance expanded chiefly as she added with a wistful smile.

“If I have any complaints I keep them to myself.” The old lady is held in affectionate regard at Tingle Bridge.

She thought the illuminations a wonderful sight.