WEEK 42

John & Betty

Betty Rowbottom, born in 1931 in Greasbrough, Rotherham, is my first cousin, once removed and daughter of Fred Rowbottom and Freda Wisehall.

I only ever met Betty once, in 2009, a year before her death, but I felt an incredible affinity with her, as though I’d known her all of my life. Betty gave to me a photo from her wedding day, where my grandfather, Henry Rowbottom, was escorting her into Saint Mary’s Church, Greasbrough.

Below is a newspaper article published shortly after Betty’s marriage to John Wareham.

THE ADVERTISER, SAT., DEC. 29th, 1951

WAREHAM – ROWBOTTOM

Miss Betty Rowbottom, only daughter of Mrs. Freda Rowbottom, of 15, Chapel Street, Greasbro’, and the late Mr. F. Rowbottom, was married at St. Mary’s Church, Greasbro’, on Boxing Day, to Mr. John Wareham, son of Mrs. E. Wareham, of 29, Bertha Street, Rotherham, and the late Mr. H. Wareham.

Saint Mary’s Church

The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr. H. Rowbottom. She wore a dress of broche poult moire and a veil held in place by a coronet of orange blossom. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations with trailing fern.

The senior bridesmaids, Miss P. M. Sprigg (cousin of the bride) and Miss J. Wareham (sister of the bridegroom) wore gowns of deep turquoise blue and carried bouquets of white chrysanthemums. Junior bridesmaids were Miss M. Walker (cousin of the bride) and Miss M. Swailes (niece of the bridegroom), who wore gowns of white organdie with bonnets and carried Dorothy bags.

Best man was Mr. Harry Wareham (brother of the bridegroom) and the groomsmen were Mr. Walter Roddison and Mr. Sidney Horner.