Mexborough and Swinton Times August 31 1928

Golden Wedding
Mexboro’ Council’s Oldest Servant

Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Popple, of 160, Doncaster Road, Mexborough, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Tuesday. They were married at Rawmarsh Congregational Church, on August 28th, 1878.

Mr. Popple is now 78 years of age, and Mrs. Popple is 73. Before her marriage Mrs. Popple was a Miss Brameld, of the well-known Rawmarsh family of that name. They have eleven children living, and 21 grand-children.

Mr. Popple is a native of Bainton, near Stamford, and went to Parkgate when a young.man as assistant draper with the firm of Smith. He was later transferred to Mexborough, where he worked for the firm and was then for a time in business on his own account. For the last 18 years he has been librarian at Mexborough and he is the oldest servant of the Mexborough Council. He is one of the three living members of the old Local Board, on which he sat for five years

At one time be -was prominent in musical circles. For 10 years he was choirmaster at the Swinton Congregational Church, and for 21 years choirmaster, treasurer and a deacon of the Mexborough Congregational Church. He has taken part in three of the Sheffield Music Festivals, and was a member for 21 years – from the beginning to the end – of the now-defunct Rawmarsh and Parkgate And morning Society. He used to be regularly in the concert platform locally.

Mrs Popple’s family were also very musical, and on one occasion, a grandfather walk from Rawmarsh to York to take part in the performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Mr Popple is an associate of the London Tonic Sol fa College, was for many years the examiner for that college in this district stop

Both he and Mrs Popple are in good health. They have just returned from me holiday at Jersey. The family is to meet at their home on Sunday to celebrate. Members of Mr and Mrs Popple’s family are well known throughout South Yorkshire for their musical and dramatic attainments.