Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 24 May 1934

Diamond Wedding

A Roman Terrace Rejoicing

Methodist Party

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Simms, 206, Wath Road, Mexboro’, who yesterday celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Born at Parkheet, Oldham, Mr. Simms will be 80 in August. At the age of ten Mr. Simms began farm work, and at 18 he came to Sheffield to work in Langley’s timber yard. Eventually he found employment at North Gawber Colliery, where he stayed for seven years, and finally at Manvers Main.

For the past 28 years Mr. and Mrs. Simms have had a greengrocery business at Roman Terrace. Mr. Simms’s principal hobby is gardening. He has been identified with the Roman Terrace Wesleyan Methodist Church for 53 years, where he has been Sunday School teacher, church and society steward, and church trustee.

Mrs. Simms, who will be 80 next March, is a native of Higham, and was left an orphan at the age of ten. Their marriage took place at Darton Parish Church. Her bridesmaids, Mrs. E. Sutcliffe (82), sister, of Sowerby Bridge, and Mrs. B. Denton (78), niece, of Mapplewell, are still alive, and yesterday attended a Faith Tea and service at the Roman Terrace (Wesleyan) Church in celebration of the anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Simms have had thirteen children, nine girls and four boys, but only three sons and one daughter survive—Mr. Seth Simms, of Whitehaven, Mr. Walter Simms, of Mexboro’, Mr. John Simms, of Kilnhurst, and Miss Annie Simms, who lives with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Simms have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

At yesterday’s party an interesting ceremony was performed, Mr. and Mrs. C. Hargate, two of the oldest church members, making the presentation of a walking stick and a rose-bowl to Mr. and Mrs. Simms. The gifts were inscribed:

“PRESENTED TO MR. AND MRS. THOMAS SIMMS BY MEMBERS OF THE ROMAN TERRACE WESLEYAN CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR DIAMOND WEDDING. MAY 24TH, 1934.”

A wedding cake fitted with sixty candles, and made by Mrs. Walter Simms, occupied a prominent place on the table.

After the party the gathering returned to the church for a thanksgiving service, over which Mr. W. Chappell (Chairman of the Swinton U.D.C.) presided. An address was delivered by Mr. I. Liversidge, of Hoyland.

Mr. and Mrs. Simms are the head of a family of four generations, the other “links” being Mr. Walter Simms (52), Mrs. Collins (29), and Beryl Collins (4).