Kindly submitted by Dave Howlett

 

Suffolk Chronicle & Mercury 29th September 1922

 

On Saturday last Mr. & Mrs. Geo Race celebrated their diamond wedding in the same house which his father built in the East End Road. Mr. Geo Race who was born in 1842, is an old agricultural labourer, his birthplace being one of the cottages near the Red House. At a very early age he went to work at Mr Sparrows at the Elm Farm at the magnificent wage of 2½d per day. Later on he worked for Mr. Edward Darling, who resided at Park Farm, and when the farm changed hands, continued to work for the succeeding tenant, Mr. Harry Fulcher, the present owner of Aldeburgh Hall. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Berry, was born in the same year as her husband in one of the cottages which formerly stood near the Villa, the present residence of Mr. Wm. Stedman. At an early age she assisted her mother in the whitening trade which connection she retained up to about ten years ago.

After their marriage they settled down at their present residence as the husband had obtained the promise of continual employment with Mr. Dorling, and as his wage was at the rate of 9s per week it was a great advantage not to lose any payment for wet days which was the custom at that time. Later on he worked for  Mr. Ed Lord and Mr. Joseph Freeman, until he became seriously ill about 27 years ago, since which time he has been unable to do any regular work. At the present time they have 12 children living viz. Charlotte ( Stonham Aspal), Eliza (Crowfield), William (Stonham Aspal), Louisa (Winchester), Elizabeth (Ringshall), Ann (Chippenham), Eleanor (Lawford), John (Stonham Parva), Harriet (Stratford), Henry (Somersham), Rose-anna (Colchester), Beatrice(Stonham Aspal) and 63 grandchildren and great grandchildren. All the children were present with the exception of two who were prevented by illness. They were the recipients of many useful presents including a handsome bouquet by Miss. Simpson, and one daughter presented them with an extremely handsome three tier wedding cake. In the evening the Rector (Rev. T. O. Wonnacott)joined them , and offered his congratulations, whilst the bells rang out a merry peel.

 

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