South Yorkshire Times April 11, 1959.

Golden Wedding Memories of West Melton Couple

The romance of the gardener and the maid at Sprotbrough Hall over 50 years ago is a beautiful memory for Mr and Mrs Herbert Garnett of 2, Shakespeare Road, West Melton, who celebrate their Golden wedding anniversary on Sunday. “Although we wouldn’t qualify for the flitch of bacon we have had a very happy life,” says Mrs Garnett.

Mr and Mrs Garnett were married at Brampton Parish Church on Easter Monday, April 12, 1909, and lived for a short time at Sprotbrough Lodge, where Mr Garnett worked as a gardener and later as a farmhand. Mrs Garnett (73), a native of Thurnscoe, came to West Melton when she was three years old, and went into service as a housemaid when she reached her teens.

Mr Garnett (78), hails from Finningley, near Doncaster, and spent his youth as a gardener and farmhand at Sprotbrough Hall. In 1913 he became a miner at Wath Main colliery, transferring later to Manvers Main colliery where he remained until his retirement in 1946.
In his younger days Mr Garnett was a keen footballer and cricketer, and before his marriage was a member of the Doncaster Rovers football club.

Speaking to a “South Yorkshire times” reporter at his home this week, Mr Garnett recalls watching Jimmy Massey keep goal for Sheffield Wednesday over 60 years ago. Now in his 91st year, Mr Massey lives at Park Rd, Mexborough.

Mr Garnett told our reporter of a visit to Crystal Palace in 1902 to see Sheffield United draw 1-1 with Southampton in the FA cup final. “I remember Crockett Barnett, the Sheffield right-winger speeding down the touchline, discourse E.B.Fry, left back for Southampton. Momentarily appealed for offside, and then sped up in pursuit, but was just too late.” Recalled Mr Garnett.

Mr Garnett said there were nearly 2 international teams on view that day and Sheffield boasted a heavyweight defence. “Billy Foulkes (22 stone) in goal and backs, Harry for Kate and Peter Boyle both weighed over 17 stone piece. It was the first time I’d visited London, and I’ve never been since,” said Mr Garnett.

Mr and Mrs Garnett move to Shakespeare Road last October, and previously lived at 10, Stoke well Road for 31 years.

There will be family parties this weekend to celebrate the anniversary, when son and daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs Herbert Garnett, and grandson, Gavin, of 39 Nicholson Ave, Wath; daughter and son-in-law, Mr and Mrs W.Kirby, and grandson Cyril; Mr and Mrs Fred parkin, of Lincoln, and Mrs garnets sister, 84 year old Mrs Annie Taylor, and 82 year old Mrs Helen Barber and expected to be present

Readers of the South Yorkshire Times for over 45 years, Mr and Mrs Garnett both prefer the quiet pleasures of their own home, and the company of their children, and a rare excursion out of doors is a visit to the Oaklea over 60s club on Monday afternoon. The youngest of a family of 13 children Mrs Garnet is an aunt of a former editor of The Times Mr Harold Elliott.