22/06/2017
Herbert Rhodes, one of the donors of the Victoria Hall, was married on this day in 1887...
ON THIS DAY...
130 years ago
Herbert Rhodes, millowner and one of the donors of the Victoria Hall, was married to Miss Anne Beatrice Walley at the Church of the Holy Innocents, Fallowfield.
Anne was the daughter of Mr Samuel Smallwood Walley, a calico merchant from Fallowfield. The bride wore a dress of white duchesse satin and a wreath of orange blossom. Her veil was fastened with diamond brooches and she wore a bracelet and necklet of diamonds, the gifts of the bridegroom.
The bridemaids were the two sisters and two cousins of Anne and Herbert's sister, Amy. The best man was William Shepley Rhodes, Herbert's brother.
The reception was held at the bride's father's house and after the happy couple left from Manchester Central Station for a few days in London before a small holiday in the Lake District.
Herbert, even though he was only 23 years old, was already a Councillor and had stood as the Liberal candidate for the HIgh Peak constituency. He had commanded much respect in the local district and this was reflected in the 96 wedding presents the couple received, including:
Employees of Hadfield Mills - a handsome marble and bronze Egyptian dining room clock, costing upwards of £40.
Employees of Mersey Mills - silver salver and pair of silver candlesticks.
Liberals of Birch Vale - silver cigarette case
Mothers of children at Padfield - an inkstand and silver pen.
Rev. H. J. Sabela, Catholic priest, Hadfield - oil painting executed by himself.
Herbert, in celebration of this joyous occasion, generously treated all 60-70 inmates of Glossop Workshouse to a tea on his wedding day.
On the Saturday after his wedding he arranged for all 2,500 workpeople of the Hadfield and Mersey Mills and their families, to go by train to Buxton and enjoy a substantial dinner and admission to the Pavilion Gardens at his own expense.
(Taken from an article in Sheffield Independent, 23 June 1887)
