BADSEY WEDDING
Badsey was the scene of a pretty wedding on Saturday when the marriage took place at St James’ Church of Miss Marjorie Tomkins, only daughter of Mrs and the late Mr Alfred Tomkins of High Street, and Mr William Ernest Wheeler, only son of Mr & Mrs Percy Wheeler of South Littleton. The ceremony was performed by the Vicar (Canon W C Allsebrook). The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr Walter Tomkins, was attired in an ankle-length dress of beige georgette and lace, with hat and satin shoes to match, and she carried a bouquet of red roses and maiden-hair fern. She was attended by four bridesmaids, the Misses Mary and Edith Wheeler (sisters of the groom), the Misses Lucy and Kathleen Hall (cousins). The Misses Wheeler were attired in ankle-length dresses of pale pink georgette with hat and shoes to match, while the Misses Hall wore ankle-length dresses of pale green georgette with hat and shoes to tone. Each bridesmaid carried a bouquet of pink and cream sweet peas with maiden-hair fern, and wore bangles (gifts of the groom). The duties of best man were performed by Mr Eric Wheeler (cousin of the groom). As the happy couple left the church, the ringers of St James’ Church rang a peal on the bells, and also rang during the evening. Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Old Schools. The bride, who is a native of Badsey, is very popular, and took an interest in the social activities of the village. For the past nine years, she has been a member of the local branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society, while for the past three years she had been a member of the local branch of the Women’s Institute, and a member of the branch’s dramatic team. The bridegroom, who is a native of South Littleton, is equally popular, and for several years was a playing member of the Littleton United Football Club. The large number of friends present at the ceremony testified to their popularity. Later on Saturday afternoon, the bride and bridegroom left for Weston-super-Mare, where the honeymoon is being spent. They were the recipients of over ninety wedding presents, including an oak occasional table from the members of Badsey Women’s Institute, an ivory covered prayer book from members of the Girls’ Friendly Society, and a tea service from Mr A E Jones, Miss E Jones and Miss R Jones (the late employers of the bride). Mr & Mrs Wheeler will make their future home at The Orchard, South Littleton.
