Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Aldington – Mr & Mrs James Reeves
Nestling in Aldington within sight of the Cotswold hills, lies a snug stone cottage dated 1686. For the past 30 years the residents of this cottage have been Mr & Mrs James Reeves, who on Wednesday celebrated their diamond wedding.
When our representative called on Mr & Mrs Reeves, he found them wonderfully cheerful, and looking little older than they did when they celebrated their golden wedding ten years ago. Although Mr Reeves is now over 85 years of age, and his wife a year younger, they are both quite active, and have remarkably good memories, as was shown by the numerous reminiscences recounted.
During the past four weeks, Mr Reeves has not been well, but until that time he tended his own garden and walked into Evesham quite regularly. His wife has also been ill, but both of them are regaining their usual health and energy which for octogenarians is remarkable.
Mr Reeves, son of a stonemason who was in the employ of Lord Redesdale at Bourton-on-the-Hill quarries, and his wife, daughter of a railway worker, are both natives of Blackley, and they were married at Blackley Parish Church on October 30th 1886, by the Rev Canon Houghton (then Vicar). Mrs Reeves’ maiden name was Celia Ann Handy. When a boy, Mr Reeves worked for Lord Batsford between Blockley and Moreton-in-Marsh, and later was in the employ of Lord Northwick. He then moved to Evesham, and for seven years was driver of the Crown Hotel horse bus, having to meet 21 trains each day.
During this time his wife was taking charge of a shop at Evesham Common, but in 1906 they moved to Badsey, where Mr Reeves took up market gardening, at the same time running a round of oil and hardware. Upon taking more land, however, he gave up the round, and concentrated on market gardening.
Twenty-nine years ago, they took up residence in the pretty stone cottage at Aldington, where they have spent many happy years in a well-earned retirement.
Both have been regular church-goers, and when at Blockley, Mr Reeves was a bellringer and Sunday School teacher. They still have vivied recollections of Royal events, recalling that they were at the sports on Dovers Hill, Campden, for the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1887. They attended the diamond jubilee celebrations ten years later in Evesham Pleasure Grounds, and the King Edward VII’s coronation festivities at Evesham. King George’s coronation they celebrated at Seward House, Badsey, and the jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary by watching sports in Aldington Pastures. They celebrated the coronation of King George VI with other villagers at Aldington Pastures.
Mrs Reeves still prides herself on the fact that she still possesses the teacup which Mr Reeves brought her from Birmingham before their marriage. For every meal since shortly before their marriage she has used it, and although it has had many saucers, the tea cup is still as good as ever, and she greatly cherishes it.
They have been regular readers of “The Journal” since their marriage. Mr & Mrs Reeves have one son (Mr S F Reeves of Badsey) and one daughter (Mrs H J Cave of Badsey) and they, together with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild attended the celebration on Wednesday. Also in honour of the occasion, the ringers of St James’ Church, Badsey, rang a peal on the church bells during Wednesday afternoon, and also during the evening.
All our readers will join us in conveying our hearty congratulations to Mr & Mrs Reeves, and wishing them many more years of happiness and good health.