30th October 1937 SA
SANDON GOLDEN
WEDDING
The Earl and Countess of Harrowby
Sandon Hall is now a hive of activity in preparation for the golden wedding of the Earl and Countess of Harrowby on November 16. Arrangements are well in hand, and no effort will be spared to make the occasion a memorable one, particularly for the tenants, many of whom have put in years of devoted service on the estate. Both Lord and Lady Harrowby are in excellent health, and are able to take a keen personal interest in arranging the celebrations.
Lord Harrowby is 73 and her ladyship is 69. They were married at Hambleden Church, Bucks, in 1887. Lord Harrowby was then Mr. John Herbert Dudley Ryder, eldest son of the Hon. Henry Ryder, who afterwards succeeded his brother as fourth Earl of Harrowby. The present Earl, the fifth, succeeded his father in 1900.
The Countess of Harrowby was Miss Mabel Danvers Smith, fourth and youngest daughter of the late Right Hon. William Henry Smith, M.P., First Lord of the Treasury and Leader of the House of Commons, and of Mrs. Smith, later created the first viscountess Hambleden.
The Earl and Countess have long taken a prominent part in the public and social life of Staffordshire. Probably no other couple are better known or respected throughout the length and breadth of the county, and all classes of the community will join not only in congratulating them on 50 years of happy married life, but in wishing them many more years of health and happiness.
HOUSE PARTY
There will be a distinguished house party at the Hall during the celebrations, and a dinner party will be held on the evening of November 16. Earlier in the day a service will be conducted at Sandon Church, at which the Bishop of Stafford, (the Rt. Rev. D.H. Crick) will dedicate a beautifully bound book of altar services presented by the Earl and Countess.
On Wednesday, November 17, 600 tenants on the Sandon estate will be entertained to dinner in a giant marquee in the Hall grounds. The dinner will be followed by an entertainment by the “Roosters” concert party and a ball.
By a happy coincidence two Sandon couples will also celebrate their golden weddings at almost the same time. Mr. and Mrs. William Alcock, Hilderstone Road, Sandon, were married on the same day as the Earl and Countess, and for the past 46 years have lived in the house they now occupy. For over 30 years Mr. Alcock, who is 75, was employed as a carpenter on the estate, and he and his wife, who is 71, have taken a keen interest in the life of the village.
On December 27 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hall, also of Hilderstone Road, will complete 50 years of married life. Mr. Hall is 75 and Mrs. Hall is 71. Both have long records of service with the Harrowby family, and have lived in their present cottage nearly 30 years.
About 13 months ago Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Mason, of Parkville Cottage, Sandon, celebrated their golden wedding. They have also lived 30 years on the estate, on which Mr. Mason was for 25 years employed as a gardener.
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