FORMER EVESHAM TABLE TENNIS CHAMPION – Married at Badsey
At St James’ Church, Badsey, on Saturday, Miss Irene Lilian Butler, only daughter of Mr P J Butler and the late Mrs P J Butler of 2 Cotswold View, Badsey, was married to Mr Sidney Frank Halford, second son of Mr & Mrs C Halford of Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford.
The bride, who comes of an old market gardening family in Badsey, was educated at Badsey Council School and Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Evesham. She was born at Dean’s Court, Oxford. In sporting spheres she is a keen table tennis player, and several times has been table tennis champion of Evesham, both as a singles and doubles player. She is a popular member of the staff of Messrs Willmotts Ltd and to mark the occasion her colleagues presented her with an egg cruet and stand. The bridegroom is a member of The Sandys Arms, Wickhamford, shooting team, and by trade is a market gardener on his own account. During the last war he saw service both at home and abroad in HM Forces.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white crepe with a full-length veil held in place by a headdress of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations with trailing fern. She was attended by two bridesmaids, Miss Vera Halford, the bridegroom’s sister, and the bride’s friend, Miss Emma Collett. Both wore dresses of mauve crepe with matching shoulder-length veils held in place with anemone headdresses. Their bouquets also consisted of anemones.
Mr H Mason of Wickhamford was best man.
The choral service was conducted by the Vicar of Badsey (the Rev W B Chapman) and Mrs G Marshall was at the organ.
The bride, on leaving the church, was presented with horseshoes by two young well-wishers.
Fifty guests attended the reception at The Wheatsheaf Inn Assembly Room, Badsey.
The bridegroom’s presents to the bridesmaids were pearl necklaces. The bride and bridegroom presented each other with gold signet rings.
After the service and throughout the day, Badsey bell-ringers rang a wedding peal on St James’ bells.
The honeymoon is being spent at Bournemouth. The bride travelled in a blue dress with check coat and matching accessories.