Gale Culpin Wedding

21 October 2002

Dear Mrs Abbott-Donnelly

Thank you for talking to me and my son last month, when I promised to forward you a copy of the wedding photograph. I did not reply by return as the original photograph is not mine, and I thought I should contact the owner, before forwarding a copy. Mrs Goulthorpe has now replied and is pleased for you to have a copy, the only stipulation being that it is not published without further reference to her.

The wedding is between Florence Gale, daughter of Henry and Betsy Gale, [Henry is at the side of the bride with his hand on the shoulder of his wife), and Leonard Culpin son of John Culpin (seated to the side of the groom). My grandfather, Harry Gale, is immediately behind and between the bride & groom. The Gales lived in the cottage in the background. I am not sure about the exact date of the wedding but probably about 1902 to 1904; when I find the exact date I will let you know.

You mentioned that Colin who lives in the "cottage" would be interested, so I enclose an additional copy for him.

You did say that you thought the "cottage" was originally thatched; while talking to you I forgot that I had a photograph of the cottage when it was thatched. enclose two copies of the original, one for you and one for Collin, again the only stipulation being that it is not published without further reference to me. The date of this photograph is also not known, but it is most likely to be before 1905.

You also stated that Colin is interested in the history of his cottage. The Gale family moved to Bainton from Ufford around 1830. We know that Henry, Betsy and family lived in the cottage at the beginning of the 20th century, but how long the family had lived there before we do not know, as the census does not give addresses within the village. Henry & Betsy died in 1933 & 1932. If Colin would like more details of the family, I will be pleased to provide further information.

My grandfather, a railway worker at Bainton in the 1901 census, moved to Nottingham before 1905, so my family connection with Bainton is remote, though my father and grandfather used to visit Henry & Betsy and stay in the cottage during the 1920's. The wedding couple did, however, continue to live in Bainton, Leonard Culpin being buried in the church yard in 1953. Mrs Goulthorpe, is their grand daughter and remembers, as a girl, playing in the old schoolyard and in & out of the unused toilets, and the school being converted into your house.

Mrs Goulthorpe also remembers that the School House on Tallington Road used to be occupied by the Snowballs, who were a very musical couple, playing organs in church and various instruments in concerts and for local operatic societies. Their daughter Elizabeth, who inherited their skills and love of music,

layed in the National Youth Orchestra, and was bridesmaid to her Uncle & Aunt, also Culpins, who manned the railway level crossing until the 1950's.

You mentioned that the people, who lived in the farmhouse across the road, have a collection of village photographs. Mrs Goulthorpe thinks this will be Michael and Sheila Bratley. She wonders if she should contact him as she has one or two photographs he may not have, including a class photograph taken when her mother was at school. It would be great if all the old photographs could be published.

David Gale