The Green Wedding

 In July 1932, the Leeds Mercury reported on a wedding that had a definite green theme. Most 1930s reports of "green weddings" concern the shocking departure from old superstitions that considered the colour to be unlucky. Brides began to dress their bridesmaids in eau-de-nil or apple blossom with a modern disregard for the fear of impeding calamity that this might have instilled in their grandmothers. However, this particular wedding went all out to be as green as possible.

The betrothed were both members of the Woodcraft Folk - an outdoors youth group which had been established in 1925, advocating a return to a more simple life. The two members took part in a woodland ceremony with 200 other Woodcraft Folk before legalising their marriage at a register office the day after. The outdoor ceremony took place in Cordwell Valley near Dronfield, Derbyshire. All gathered around a camp fire and wore "Lincoln green jerkins". It was also reported that many of those present had bare knees, and some wore green bathing costumes. The group all squatted on the floor, and after the beating of tom-toms and the raising of the torch "Redwing" and "Heather" went  forward to have their hands joined together by the head man. 

The pair wore their green jerkins again as the marriage was formalised in Sheffield, and then left for a hiking honeymoon in the Derbyshire hills.

One can hear the tutting of Yorkshire matrons as they read this sensational article over their bacon and cup of tea in smog filled Sheffield and Leeds. "What a load of daft beggers" might have been uttered. But wasn't it just a foretaste of what is becoming popular now, as much as it would have been a throwback to simpler times for the Woodcraft Folk. Each year one hears more about "Handfasting Ceremonies" while outdoor weddings now seem more popular than the church.

A vintage map of the location of the wedding. Cordwell is to the south west of Holmesfield.