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A Yorkshire Love Story

 One of my interests is family history. I've had an Ancestry account for years, and traced all kinds of branches of the family - it's like following a path in a beautiful hidden garden, then discovering another going off that with all its fascinating details, then a different one off that.... you get the idea I'm sure. The garden can lead you about in an absorbing manner for hours, and it is very addictive. Along the way, you find all kinds of wonderful treasures. This is one of them.

Friday 12th February 2021 would have been my mum and dad's 72nd wedding anniversary. They'd met at a party in early 1944, introduced by friends. Dad (aged 20) said that when he first met Mum (aged 17), he knew she was the one for him. She came from a large and sociable family, being the youngest of 13 children (9 survived beyond childhood), he was an only child brought up by his maternal grandmother - his mother died when he was 6 - although he had the company of his beloved adopted brother, Ron. At the time they met, Dad was a miner, a reserved occupation, but was also a Lance Corporal in charge of the armoury for the local Home Guard. He spent many a night after work guarding the steelworks and anti aircraft defences near Stocksbridge. Mum worked for the local milk delivery business of Mr Roberts, driving the milk wagon. She confessed years later that she often knocked the wing mirror off while reversing! 

Dad built his own bicycle from spare parts, Mum saved hard to buy one for herself, and they spent happy hours cycling for miles around Cawthorne, Hoylandswaine and Penistone. They also went dancing at Race Street Baths, where the pool had a dance floor put over it to create enough space, though Mum said Dad was very jealous if she danced with anyone else. When they began saving up for a house and furniture, they made rag rugs for the floors as there were very few carpets to be bought. And of course, they spent a huge amount of time walking. Their first date was a walk in Locke Park. Dad said Mum's little hand was so cold that he popped it inside his overcoat pocket to keep it warm. 

They only ever had one serious argument. Dad said he was in the wrong, but wouldn't elaborate on the reason, only saying that it was something he didn't understand about girls. Mum handed back a gift he had given her, an engraved identity bracelet that she wore, and walked away upset. After a few miserable days, he got back in touch and apologised. All was forgiven, lessons learned, and the courtship was back on.

In 1948 a house owned by local company Gaimster's, 22 Fitzwilliam Street off Summer Lane, came up for rent. Mum's brother in law, Wilf, worked for Gaimster's and was able to put a good word in for Mum and Dad. The date for their wedding was set, and they were married on February 12th 1949 at St Peter's Church, Doncaster Road, at 8.30am. Mum said the vicar looked half asleep. Instead of a wedding dress, Mum wore a smart and fashionable suit that was made for her and that Granny had paid for. Dad said he remembered it as being a light sandy colour, with navy hat, shoes and gloves. It was a good choice as it was worn for a good while afterwards. They had their wedding breakfast at Granny's house, and walked up to the studio on Sheffield Road to have their photographs taken. Mum's bridesmaid was her sister Polly, and best man was Dad's brother Ron. 

Mum and Dad had a long, happy and devoted marriage. Mum died in April 2007, and Dad passed away just last year, in February 2020, at the grand age of 96. Theirs was a real Yorkshire love story.




                         Donald Markham Taylor (1923 - 2020) and Doreen Wild (1926 - 2007)



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