February 24^th ('Times and Weekly News'): Arborfield Wedding: Warner – Allsebrook Miss Lindsay Anne Allsebrook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie Allsebrook, of Arborfield Hall, Arborfield, was married at St. Bartholomew’s, Arborfield, on Saturday to Mr. Henry Alfred Warner, son of Mr. H. Warner, J. P., and Mrs. Warner, of Whitton, Ipswich. The service was conducted by Canon J. A. Anderson and the bride was given away by her father, Mr. G. Allsebrook, a prominent Reading business man.

The bride’s gown was of empire design with prominent silver-metal brocade falling from the waist into a train. The back and sleeves were fastened with heart-shaped buttons and fastened with heart-shaped buttons and the square neck was finished with a Medici collar. The glowing parchment veil, edged with a silver thread, was caught round the head in an orange blossom coronet. She carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley and blue hyacinths.

She was attended by Mrs. Bell (sister of the bridegroom), Mrs. Axworthy, Miss Ruth Prescott, and Miss Eileen Newcombe. They wore midnight blue dresses with puff-top long, tight sleeves. The skirts were very full, slightly trailing at the back, and headdresses of the same material were finished with blue feathered birds. Little Miss Janet Lloyd, aged four, a cousin of the bride, wore a parchment georgette dress, with silver ribbon round a high waist. The bridal attendants carried Victorian posies of mixed anemonies.

The best man was Mr. Ronald H. Willett, of Ipswich. A reception was held at the bride’s home. The honeymoon is being spent in Devon and Cornwall. The bride travelled in a pale blue cloque dress, faced at the neck with cyclamen silk, and a navy trimmed brown squirrel coat.

September 15th ('Times and Weekly News'): Wedding at Arborfield: Walker – Simonds: The wedding took place quietly at Arborfield parish church of Mr. Derek Guy Walker, only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Walker, of Laylocks, Castle Cary, Somerset, and Miss Elizabeth Anne Simonds, elder daughter of Mr. John H. Simonds and Mrs. Simonds, of Newlands, Arborfield. Canon J. A. Anderson, rector of Arborfield, officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white satin and was attended by 5 bridesmaids. Mr. J. A. H. Simonds, brother of the bride, was best man. The couple are spending a brief honeymoon at Marlow.

October 13th: Wedding at Arborfield : First Salvation Army Ceremony

November 25^th: Marriage article, plus classified announcement, plus photo: 'Bride Married in Uniform' - Mary Margaret Inglis

1940:

February 10th: ‘The Ladies’ Page’ – ENGAGED – Miss May Nesbit Hawes, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hawes of Alexandria, Virginia, and Mr. Colin Allsebrook, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie Allsebrook of Arborfield Hall near Reading, whose engagement is announced. Miss Hawes was a columnist on Central European affairs for the ‘Washington Post’. [photos of May and Colin].

June 8th: Marriage of Miss R. Saunders – The wedding took place at St. Bartholomew’s, Arborfield, on Saturday, of Miss Ruby Saunders, daughter of Lieut. S. G. Saunders, R.N. (retd.), of ‘Ailsa Craig’, Arborfield Cross, to Sergeant Harry Hall of the East Yorks Regiment, whose home is at Doncaster.

The bride was given away by her father and her two sisters, Mrs. E. A. Wallace and Mrs. J. A. Hayward, were matrons-of-honour. Sgt. Nick. Ozanne, of the Hampshire Regiment, was the best man. A reception was held at the bride’s home, and was attended by thirty guests including several warrant officers and sergeants from the Army Technical School.

1941:

August 2nd: Arborfield: Wedding of Miss Edwards – The wedding took place at the parish church on Saturday of Miss Jean Edwards, only child of Mrs. Edwards and the late Mr. Arthur Edwards, of Mileham Cottage, Arborfield Cross, and Mr. Ronald Cowley, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Cowley, of 12 Clematis Street, Shepherds Bush.

1942:

August 22nd: Arborfield: Engagement: The engagement is announced between Lieut. Ian D. McLaughlan, D.S.C., R.N., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. McLaughlan, of Kenya, and 30 Holland Park, W.11., and Charity Pomeroy Simonds, Third Officer, W.R.N.S., youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald P. Simonds, of Barton House, Arborfield Cross.

September 12th: Photo: A Guard-of-honour for Mrs. Charity P. Simonds, of Arborfield Cross, and Lt. Ian D. McLaughlan, D.S.C., R.N., who were married in London.

1943:

August 7th: Local Weddings: Major J. A. H. Simonds – Miss A. M. Gold: The wedding took place at St. Mark’s, North Audley Street on Saturday, of Major John Antony Hayes Simonds, R. A., only son of Mr. John Simonds, CB., and Mrs. Simonds, "Newlands", Arborfield, and Miss Audrey Mary Gold, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quiller Gold, St. Margaret’s Lodge, Beaconsfield. The service was choral, and the Rev. G. Hayward officiated. […]

December 11th: Arborfield: Wedding: The marriage took place at St. Mary’s, Melton Mowbray, on December 1^st of Second Lieutenant Philip Edward Rodway, son of Mr. R. H. Rodway, of Halfway Cottage, Hilperton, Trowbridge, and Miss Joan Dorothy Hart, formerly of Arborfield, now living at Stoneville, Ashfordby Road, Melton Mowbray. Canon Bates officiated.

1944:

March 11th: Photo (on left): Miss P. Wells and Mr. E. Sumner, who were married at Arborfield.

March 25th: Photo (on right): Miss F. Pegg and Mr. A. Ayers, who were married at Arborfield.

June 16th ('Times and Weekly News' article): Arborfield Local Wedding: The marriage took place at St. Bartholomew’s Arborfield on Wednesday between Phyllis Eva Emily, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, of ‘Phyllena’, Church Lane, Arborfield, and Sgt. Maurice Leslie Launchbury, fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Launchbury of 40 Briants Avenue, Caversham. […] A reception followed at the Reading Room, Arborfield, at which 50 guests attended.

[Photo: 'Miss P. Lee and Mr. A. M. Launchbury, who were married at Arborfield' - from the 'Reading Mercury']

October 13th ('Times and Weekly News'): Photo: Sgt. E. Gilling Church, R.E.M.E., and Miss M. V. Potter married at Arborfield. [This report mentioned that Miss Potter was a teacher at Arborfield School].

October 14th: Arborfield: Wedding: The wedding took place at St. Bartholomew’s, Arborfield, on Saturday between Mr. Edward G. Church, son of Mr. and the late Mrs. W. Church, "Melrose", 58 Hanbury Avenue, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, and Miss Marjorie Violet Potter, daughter of Mrs. and the late P.C. Potter, "The Shieling", 261, Barkham Road, Wokingham. The service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Seymour, and Mr. G. Collis was at the organ. The bride was given away by Mr. P. Potter (uncle) and attended by Mrs. G. Halfacre (her sister), Mrs. D. Foster (friend), and Miss B. Gibbs (cousin). The best man was Mr. D. Chisholm, friend of the bridegroom. The reception was held at the Village Hall, Arborfield, and the honeymoon is being spent in Edinburgh.

Photo: Miss M. Potter and Mr. E. G. Church, who were married at Arborfield.

October 28th: Arborfield: Presentation: At a ceremony at the school recently, Mrs. Church [nee Potter] was presented with a hanging mirror, on the occasion of her marriage, by Mr. W. J. Verrall (head master), on behalf of the children and staff.

1945:

April 21st: Arborfield: Engagement: The engagement is announced between Leading Aircraftman J. L. Gutteridge, of Arborfield Cross, Reading, Berks, and Betty Muriel, youngest daughter of Mr. G. Wilkes and Mrs. M. Wilkes, of 146, Bromsgrove Road, Redditch, Worcs.

With acknowledgements to:

Surrey & Berkshire Media ('Times and Weekly News and 'Reading Standard');
Berkshire Media ('Reading Mercury' - Copyright photos; used by permission).