Historical Tour & Tea! The secret wedding of Violet Kerr Taylor at St Andrew's Epsom.
'She said she was going out shopping and simply went off and got married'! In 1894 Violet Kerr Taylor of Alberton defied her mother Sophia's wishes to secretly wed her beau - Edward Gilmour - at St Andrew's church in Epsom. Elder brother Vincent gave her away and sisters Winifred and Mildred were possibly present.
Or at least, this the story we have been telling at Alberton for many years, backed up by recollections from descendants ....
A new document discovered for the upcoming historical Tour & Tea as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival 2020, has thrown the elopement and relationship between Violet and her mother into question and there are now several possibilities for what might have happened. Family mythologies are captivating tales that run deep!
Join us at St Andrew's Epsom as we trace back this story and revise the possible scenarios. Along with snippets on late 19th Century NZ weddings and Victorian attitudes towards elopement & marriage, the tour will also take in the sights of this charming Category 1, Gothic Revival church and includes a meander through the graveyard.
Followed by tea & scones served from the vintage china back at Alberton! With plenty of time to explore the house and garden.
Tour & Tea. Violet Kerr Taylor's Wedding at St Andrew's Epsom. Saturday 26 September 10am & 1:30pm. $25 includes tour, tea & scones and Alberton admission. Bookings essential. Email alberton@heritage.org.nz or call 846 7367
Please note this event will still proceed even under level 2 restrictions. Numbers will be reduced, more of the tour will be seated and contact tracing, hygiene and food service protocol will be in place.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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14% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
Christmas gifts for underprivileged teenagers
We at St Stephens in Ponsonby collect christmas gifts for underprivileged (brand new- not secondhand). If you would like to help by donating gifts please either ring Denise on 0272866374 or drop off on a Friday morning between 10am & 12 midday, or Sunday morning between 9.30am -11.30am.
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
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