From This Day Forward
When we talk about the heritage of Castle Bromwich talk almost inevitably drifts to Castle Bromwich Hall and stories about Lady Ida. We’re currently researching into the history of the Hall as part of our Heritage Project and today we came across a news paper article describing the marriage of Lady Ida Lumley to Viscount Newport.
SHEFFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH – Wednesday September 8th 1869
Marriage of Lord Newport M.P., and Lady Ida Lumley, at Maltby.
A wedding of an unusually interesting character took place at Maltby Church yesterday, attracting to the sacred building and its precincts a large number of spectators, including all the principal families in the neighbourhood.
This marked manifestation of public interest is not to be wondered at when the exalted station of the two individuals mainly concerned in the day’s proceedings is taken into account, for the bridegroom was Lord Newport (George Cecil Orlando Bridgeman), M.P. for South Shropshire, and the eldest son of the Earl of Bradford; and the bride, Lady Ida Francis Annabella Lumley, second daughter of the Earl of Scarborough.
The inhabitants of Maltby were early astir making the necessary preparations for giving a hearty reception to the bridal party; and long before the ceremony came off several triumphal arches of evergreens and flowers had been erected, one being placed at the entrance of the village by Mr. J. Thompson and three others nearer the church, two by Mr. W. H. Crossley, and one by Mr. Ellis. Each arch was surmounted by an appropriate motto expressing both in the classical languages and in English the well wishes of the inhabitants for the future prosperity of the happy couple.
The interior of the church, too, was decorated in honour of the occasion. Mr. Crossley having placed over the altar, in illuminated characters, the text, “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels,” while the baptismal font was tastefully decorated by Miss Rolleston.
There was also signs of rejoicing near the entrance to Sandbeck Park. In addition to a pleasing festoon of evergreens, with an inscription on each side, extended across the highway at a short distance from the lodge, a splendid arch had been erected over the entrance gates, bearing the mottoes, “May God Bless Them,” and “Long Life and Happiness,” surmounted by the monogram of the newly married pair and the arms of the house of Lumley, skilfully worked in gold and silver.
Thus both on leaving Sandbeck and arriving, after a pleasant drive of three or four miles at Maltby village, the bride and bridegroom would witness gay demonstrations of goodwill. These artistic displays were not, however, the only contributions to the enjoyment of the wedding party; for, as the weather was delightfully fine, the natural beauties of the local landscape scenery, both in Sandbeck Park with its choice herds of deer, and the village of Maltby with its picturesque surroundings, were seen to the best advantage.
The company at the hall was very numerous, and included many members of the nobility; the following being a list of some of the principal guests:
The Earl and Countess of Bradford, parents of the bridegroom; Lady Elizabeth Drummond, Mrs. Baillie Cochrane and Miss Cochrane, Lady Mary Clive and Miss Clive, Lord and Lady Foley, the Lord Primate of Ireland and Mrs. Berresford, Lady Georgina Milner and Miss. Milner, Lord Claude Hamilton, M.P.; the Right Hon. J. Bridgeman, the Hon. F. Bridgeman, the Hon. E. Bridgeman, the Hon. Gerald Bridgeman, Mr. Victor Drummond, Mr. Cecil Drummond, the Hon. W. Orde Powlett, Sir William Milner, Lord and Lady Muncaster, Mr. Henry Milner, Mrs. Milner and Miss Milner; Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeman Simpson, Retford; Mr. G. S. Foljambe, Mr. and Mrs. Wrightson, Doncaster; Mr. and Mrs. Melhuish, &c., &c.
Short before half-past eleven the wedding party arrived at the church, which as we have above intimated, was well filled by an influential congregation, among whom was Mr. Miles and party, from Firbeck Hall; Mr. and Mrs. Ramsden and party, from Carlton Hall; Mr. Hoyle, Mr. Whitfield, and other gentlemen from around Rotherham. The ceremony was preceded by the Keble’s wedding hymn, which was sung in a very credible manner by the church choir.
All eyes were of course directed to the bride who was attired in a white satin dress, trimmed with Brussels lace and orange blossom, and a Brussels lace veil glittering with diamonds and pearls. She was attended by six bridesmaids viz.: Lady Lillian Selina Elizabeth Lumley and Lady Sibell Mary Lumley, sisters of the bride; Lady Mabel Selina Bridgeman and Lady Florence Catherine Bridgeman, sisters of the Bridegroom; Miss Amy Cochrane and Miss L’Estrange, cousins to the bride. They each wore a dress of white Indian muslin trimmed with green satin and Valenciennes lace; a pannier trimmed with satin bows and sashes; a wreath of wild roses and white heather; a tulle veil; and a beautiful locket composed of a crystal heart, with the monogram of the bride and bridegroom in the centre, surrounded by a coronet of pearls.
The bridegroom had for his “best man” Lord Claude Hamilton, who went through his task in a remarkably graceful and efficient manner; the second groomsman being Sir Walter Milner. Nothing could have been more commendable than the demeanour of the congregation throughout the ceremony, which was performed by the Lord Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, great-uncle to the bride; assisted by the Hon. and Rev. G. T. O. Bridgeman, rector of Wigan, and hon. chaplain to Her Majesty, uncle of the bridegroom; the Rev. C. H. Wright, vicar of Maltby; and the Rev. R. B. Spoor, domestic chaplain to the Earl of Scarborough.
The bride was given away by her father, the marriage service concluding with the “Wedding March” played effectively on the organ by Miss. Rolleston. As the bridal party left the church the quaint music of the three village bells was almost drowned by the cheers of the spectators, and a greeting of similar character met them at Sandbeck Hall, in front of which a large number of servants and villagers had assembled.
The wedding breakfast which was subsequently partaken of was of a truly magnificent character. Massive pieces of gold and silver plate bore viands prepared with marvellous skill by Mons. Le Fert. Among the dishes were trophies of confectionery representing hunting scenes, and others of an emblematic character, each being a masterpiece of Mons. Le Fert’s peculiar art. The number and value of the the presents which have been bestowed upon the bride are even more astonishing, for their total worth is estimated at between £20,000 and £30,000. They include a beautiful necklace of diamond stars, given by the Earl of Bradford; a splendid diamond and pearl locket, by the Countess of Bradford; a lace and mother of pearl fan, by the Princess Mary of Teck; a magnificent tiara of turquoise pearls and diamonds, by the Earl of Scraborough; and an exquisite necklace of emeralds and pearls, by the Countess of Scarborough.
In the course of the afternoon the newly married pair left Sandbeck Hall for Masbro; en route for Castle Bromwich, one of the residences of the Earl of (Scraborough) where they will spend the honeymoon. They were loudly cheered upon their departure, and had to pass through a perfect shower of those supposed omens of prosperity, old slippers. The day’s festivities concluded with a grand ball, to which a large number of the tenantry were invited. Extra carriages were provided for the wedding by Mr. Brown, of the Prince of Wales Hotel. Masbro.
