CROWQUILL, in his Journal jottings column for this week of 1902, imparted this amusing tale from the Pershore area.

"Marriage is sometimes a failure, and in the land of plums the other day, the start of one such was not encouraging. The clergyman asked the blushing bride her age and no answer was forthcoming. He refused to go on with the ceremony, remarking that the bride did not look to him old enough to enter into such a sacred state of life.

"Said the bride: 'I'll fetch my father, he'll soon settle this.' The father was enjoying himself at a local inn and, when advised of the hitch in the proceedings and the importance of his presence, he went to the barber's to get a shave and home to change his clothes.

"It was about a hour before he arrived at the church where the anxious couple were waiting, but he soon settled the question. Said he: 'Her's 19 years old and a good wench too, so you need not be afraid Mr Parson' - and it all ended well!"