Lowewood Museum
Waltham House

A Society Wedding in Waltham Cross

Created 21 June, 2008

Frank and Lilly Tingle on their Wedding Day: June 18th 1896.This account of a wedding on June 18th 1896 is a good example of the way local newspapers would "go to town" on such events in those more leisurely days. The details of the clothes, the flowers, and even the music and the carriages, is exhaustive.

The bridegroom became principal of the firm of accountants, Tingle Comber. The bride's father was a draper of substance in what are now Fishpool's premises at Waltham Cross. The elder daughter of this marriage, Madge, became the wife of Ernest Rochford of Turnford. The younger daughter, Evelyn, lived with her parents at The Cottage, Churchgate, in the 1930s, and remained there after her marriage to Colonel Kellett until about 1949.

Waltham Cross and Cheshunt were yesterday (Thursday) full of excitement over the marriage of Mr. Frank Tingle, eldest son of Mr. Churchwarden Tingle, of Okeleigh, Cheshunt with Miss Lilly Walklate, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Walklate, of Waltham Cross. The parents of both bride and bridegroom are well known and esteemed throughout the district, and the young couple themselves are highly esteemed and beloved. The fine old Parish Church was the scene of the ceremony, and the hour fixed for it was two o'clock. Long before then the seats in the nave were filled. A special train from town brought down guests and many walked or drove in from the surrounding neighbourhood. The arrangements for seating were admirable, and were under the supervision of Church- wardens Bokenham and Tingle.
The Bridegroom arrived early, attended by his brother, Mr. Alfred Tingle, as his best man. The brides- maids were also early arrivals, and they took up their position in the porch, awaiting the bride. Outside the Church there were large crowds, in the roadway and lining the carpeted pathway. Shortly before the time fixed for the ceremony Mr. W.D. Butt, L.T.C.L., took his seat at the organ and played a prelude in F, one of his own compositions - a beautiful piece. Whilst the final bars were being played the choir filed from the vestry to their places in the chancel. The singing of the hymn "The voice that breathed o'er Eden'' proclaimed the arrival of the bride.
The Vicar was the officiating minster.

Mr. Walklate gave his daughter away. The bride wore a gown of cream duchesse satin trimmed with chiffon.
The bodice of satin, with exquisitely modelled sleeves, was trimmed with pearl passemonterie. The train was a square one of satin. On one corner was a large Louis Seize bow, on which was an emblem - a horseshoe device in orange flowered. The bridal veil was handsomely embroidered, and was surmounted by a coronet of orange blossom.
The bride's only ornament was a gold and silver pendant. Her bouquet was a superb one of white orchids, stephanotis, roses, and orange blossom, tied with cream satin ribbon.
There were five bridesmaids Miss Ethel Robey, Miss Edith Walklate, Miss Ella Spooner (cousins of the bride), and Miss Madge Yates (daughter of Mr. J . C. Yates of Stoke Newington). They wore dresses of ivory figured alpaca, with bodices having fichus of Brussels lace, fastened with paste buckles; a trimming of cream chiffon completed the costumes. Miss Spooner wore a hat adorned with plumes. She carried a bouquet of cream roses, which was the gift of the bridegroom, who also presented her with a gold and pearl brooch. The four other bridesmaids wore picture hats of satin straw trimmed with jewelled chiffon and soft plumes of cream ostrich feathers and bunches of damask and pink roses.
They each wore a gold and pearl brooch and carried a long, silver-headed white stick with a bunch of damask and pink roses tied near the top; these were gifts of the bridegroom.
Only the bride and bridegroom followed the Vicar to the altar while the choir sang the 128th Psalm. There the second portion of the service was proceeded with; the second hymn was "O perfect love, all human thought transcending''.

The service concluded with French's ''Threefold Amen". While the register was being signed in the vestry Mr. Butt played an interlude. As the wedding party left the church a young lady scattered roses in front of the bride and bridegroom as they walked to the church porch, and the pathway to their carriage was strewn with flowers. Rice was freely thrown, and many congratulations were offered by young and old.

Costume of four generations, 1898. Lilly Tingle holding her baby, Madge, with her mother Mrs. Walklate and grandmother Mrs. Craske.A reception was afterwards held at Mr. Walklate's residence, which was attended by 100 guests. Mrs. Walklate, who received the guests, wore a dress of black satin, with a panel of heliotrope velvet; bonnet to match. Mrs. Walklate's bouquet was composed of beautiful roses. The reception room was decorated with beautiful palms. The passage leading from this room to a covered court and to the refreshment buffet was prettily decorated with red, white, and blue cloth, draped with tricoloured cloth chains. The covered court was adorned with art muslins of delicate tints, flags, and Chinese lanterns. The pillars supporting the ceiling were covered with coloured cloth, over which were wreaths of artificial leaves. The corners and alcoves were filled with palms, ferns, and pot plants. The decorations were splendid, and were very creditable to Mr. Harry Walklate and his assistants. The two-tier bride cake was supplied by Mrs. Schmidl, of Enfield, who also catered in a very satisfactory manner. During the reception Mr. Heathcote's Quadrille Band played a selection of music. During the afternoon many congratulatory telegrams were received. At half-past four Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tingle left Waltham Cross amid a shower of rice for Southampton and the Channel Islands, where the honeymoon is being spent.
The bride's going away costume was of grey cloth, with white chiffon front and cut steel buttons. Her hat was trimmed with white carnations, grey feathers and tulle. The bride and bridegroom received 150 valuable presents. In the evening a ball was given, at which there were many guests.

Carriages were supplied by Mr. Welch, Waltham Cross; Mr. Wayland, Waltham Cross; and Mr. Clarke, of Cheshunt. The crimson cloth used to line the pathway was supplied by Lowin, Turners Hill, Cheshunt.

The reader will hardly be surprised to learn that the bride's father, Mr. Walklate, was draper by trade.

The report of this wedding goes on in equally detailed fashion to give an account of a supper held at the Green Dragon on the previous Monday evening, where the father of the bridegroom entertained the gentlemen of the Parish Church Choir. This, of course, was an all male event.
Numerous toasts were proposed and drunk, while various members of the choir obliged with a song in between. There was much cordiality between the two families involved in the coming marriage, and compliments were exchanged all round. "Host Sainsbury catered in fine style...... and the proceedings, which were of a very pleasant character, ended with Auld Lang Syne".

Last updated: 19 July, 2008