Sheffield's Christmas Celebrations Reach Climax

(Written last December)

Twelve-thousand visitors entered Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens this weekend to attend ‘A Magical Christmas’, which ran for three days from the 9^th to the 11^th of December. The event is supported by Sheffield City Council and this year helped to raise funds for St. Luke’s Hospice, with any surplus used to sustain Sheffield’s parks. Kevin Cheetham (correct) of Sheffield City Council said: “we just go through the charities and try to share the help out. This year it’s St. Luke’s.” Two years ago a similar number of guests attended, however last year’s celebration was cancelled due to the three feet of snow that Sheffield was blanketed by.

Lately, Sheffield has really come alive with Christmas Spirit as the city welcomed stall holders from across Europe to participate in the Christmas Markets attraction in the precinct and Peace Gardens. Sharrowvale Road is also hosting a Christmas market of their own, and several businesses on Eccleshall Road have put up miniature Christmas trees above their shops; in a similar fashion to the nearby quaint village of Castleton.

‘A Magical Christmas’ gives the public the chance to see the gardens after dark, lit up by no more than festive fairy lights and tea lanterns. The pavilion’s interior has also been decorated with yet more illuminating displays, accompanied by homemade fairies and mythical scenes. Any parents who expect a kids’ convention would be pleasantly surprised to find craft stalls selling jewellery and Christmas decorations, complemented with the temptation of a jacket potato rather than burgers or hotdogs. “I had lovely jacket potato with chicken korma!” commented happy customer, Rebecca Harper.

Meanwhile, children were treated to steam train rides and the chance to see Santa Claus before Christmas Eve. Saint Nick was present on all three nights, though unfortunately Santa’s Grotto is still based in the North Pole. “It’s just a quick appearance from Father”, said Kevin Cheetham (correct), “he’s very busy, he’s got a lot to do, it’s only two weeks ‘til Christmas; so he’ll be busy wrapping presents and filling his slay up.”

My Grandparents Celebrate 70-year Marriage

(Written last November)

Frank and Doris Riddell, aged 94 and 91 of Woodley, Stockport celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last weekend. The couple married on November 8^th 1941. In the same year, Frank who was in the Lancashire Fusiliers was sent to India and Burma; not returning to his wife until after the Second World War was over.

Frank played football for Northwich Victoria and was due to sign for Manchester City before he was called up to the army. During his time fighting abroad, he would often send money and luxuries like bananas back to Doris. He said: “I enjoyed many aspects of army life, but it was hard of course to be separated from my wife for such a long time. I think we have made up for it now though.”

After Frank returned from the war, he found work at Crown Wallpaper and the couple moved to nearby Romiley, and started a family soon after. The Riddells later moved to Woodley, where they still live today.

As well as their three children, they are succeeded by their four grand-children and five great-grandchildren; all of whom made the journey to celebrate their Platinum wedding anniversary with them. Frank and Doris also received a celebratory card from the Queen, and they’ll receive another if they reach their Oak Anniversary. (80 years.)

Frank summed up their seventy years together by saying: “there is no particular secret to being married for so long, we just put up with each other. We have had a very good life and travelled about a great deal.”