ALDINGTON GROOM – Married on Anniversary of Father’s Wedding
St James’ Church, Badsey, was the scene of a charming wedding on Saturday between Miss Annie Mary Briffett, youngest daughter of Mrs C Briffett and the late Mr C Briffett of 6 Boat Lane, Evesham, and Mr Norman Walter Jelfs, only son of Mr & Mrs W H Jelfs of Sherwood Farm, Aldington.
The bride, who is well known in Evesham, is a native of South Wales. She was educated at Merstow Green School, Evesham, and during the last war was a popular member on the staff of Messrs Willmotts. For the last two years she has been employed by Messrs Smedleys of Evesham.
The bridegroom, who comes from an old Badsey family, was educated at Badsey Council School and served for six years in HM Forces with service in Africa, Italy, Norway, France and Germany. He is now demobbed and is employed as a market gardener by Mr T J Glasbrook of Evesham.
By a strange coincidence, the bridegroom’s father was married 35 years ago to the day at Badsey Parish Church.*
The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr W Briffett, was charmingly attired in a gown of French crep with embroidered veil held in place with a wreath of orange blossom. She carried a choice bouquet of red roses with trailing fern. She was attended by six bridesmaids, Miss N Guise (friend) and Miss G Briffett (sister) who wore dresses of blue crepe with matching feathered headdresses and carried bouquets of blue sweet peas; Miss J Cooke and Miss Y Hughes, who were attired in dresses of pink net over satin with pink feathered headdresses and carried red sweet peas for their bouquets; and two younger bridesmaids, Miss B James (niece) and Miss G Mason, who wore dresses of apricot satin with silver feathered headdresses, their bouquets consisting of mixed sweet peas.
The service was conducted by the Vicar of Badsey, Rev W B Chapman, and Mrs G Marshall officiated at the organ, the hymns “Lead us, heavenly father, lead us” and “O love divine” being sung. Mr R Shelton, a friend, acted as best man.
Following the ceremony, the happy couple were presented with lucky silver horseshoes at the church door. Afterwards at the Wheatsheaf Inn Assembly Room, some 70 guests were entertained.
The bridegroom gave his bride a gold locket and to the bridesmaids he presented cameo brooches. The bride’s present to the bridegroom was a silver cigarette lighter.
Mr & Mrs N W Jelfs will make their future home at 1 Bewdley Lane, Evesham.
* The wedding of Walter Henry Jelfs and Florence Mary Chamberlain was registered in the Evesham area in 1913, but did not take place at St James’ Church, Badsey.