Chronicle memories

Chronicle and Echo  Monday, April 5, 2004

More wedding mysteries

LAST week Chronicle Memories featured a dusty old photograph found in a Northampton loft, of a well-heeled wedding party. 

A couple who unearthed the picture in the roof space of their new Abington home were appealing for help to identify the image. 

There have been no clues so far, but the photograph did prompt an email from Trinity Upper School, in Kingsthorpe with a similar request.

Staff in the school, in Trinity Avenue, discovered 24 delicate glass plate images of a wedding several years ago. 

They have attempted to trace or identify the bride and groom ever since but to no avail. At first it was thought the groom in the pictures was a former deputy head-teacher but that theory was ruled out by a family member. 

Hopefully our readers will be able to help solve the mystery surrounding the wedding. 

Former pupil Janet Anderton has worked at Trinity, soon to become Unity College, for 28 years. 

She explained: "The glass plates were found when the old work-shops were ripped out to be replaced by a completely new technology area during the 1980s, and handed to me for safe keeping. 

"They have been in my office drawer for a number of years. I mentioned them to Ian Dow [a former pupil who runs a Trinity School website) and he said he would put the images on the site. 

"We originally thought the bridegroom was a former deputy head of the school, Frank (Gunner) Wright, but we have now received confirmation from one of his nieces that it is not him. 

"We are pretty sure however, that either the groom, or another man in the photo, was closely connected with Trinity High School. I feel certain that the wedding took place during the 1930s because of the style of dress and also that it was in a Northampton church." 

The photographs show a happy bride and groom cutting their grand three-tier cake and three bridesmaids with large bouquets. 

There are also several shots of the men at the party gathered in a garden larking about with cigars and celebratory drinks. 

A small terrier dog has also managed to sneak into some frames. 

To see a wider selection of the photographs, look at the website for former pupils of the school during the 1950-70s, at www.trinity-high.co.uk If you recognise yourself, a relative or friend in the photographs, please contact reporter Perrie Balthazar on Northampton 467046 or the school direct on Northampton 713621.

To see more of the photos in the Pupil Memories section [click here]