On Easter Monday in March 1940 an unusual wedding centred attention on St Stephen’s Church in Bournemouth.

Not only were 14 bridesmaids in attendance, but the bridegroom wore a blue cassock and his bride wore a white Assyrian tunic carrying a few daffodils instead of a bouquet of flowers. Both of them had sandals on their feet.

“The bridesmaids came from St Mary’s PNEU School in MacLaren Road, Moordown”, said Mrs June Russell (nee Templeman) who was one of them.

“I had just celebrated my ninth birthday and remember my mother and the other mothers were given some blue material with a hole cut out in the middle and told to sew it up, to make a bridesmaid tunic,” said June.

“I didn’t know who the couple getting married were, but knew they were very important,” said June She thinks they were chosen because the Guttman sisters, teachers at the school, had connections with them.

A musician, author and philosopher, Prof Ernest Newlandsmith was known as the ‘Hermit of Mount Carmel’ as he had lived a frugal lifestyle at the summit of the mountain for many years.

He was the founder of the New Life Movement and was recognised as a great authority on ancient Coptic Church music.

His bride, Miss Maria Romero, was a descendant of the ancient Aztecs and was the daughter of a well-known Mexican Diplomat, Cayetano Romero.

She was prominent in London social circles and had an office in Harley Street where she cured innumerable invalids from all over England and abroad with her innovative ‘scientific ministrations in light, electricity and Theo-rhythmic health exercises, uniting the spirit, mind and body to perfect well-being’.

At the time of the marriage they were staying at the home of Dr Wallace Nelson and his wife in Buccleuch Road, Branksome Park.

The former Bishop of London, the Right Rev Dr Winnington Ingram officiated the wedding.

The bride was given away by old school friend Elsie Gimson and best man was Cyril Knight.

“Each girl was given a special postcard of the event to keep as a momentum,” said June who attended the school between 1935 -1941.

The Bournemouth Times recorded the occasion as the bridesmaids and happy couple left the church. Their parents and other adults can be seen in the background.

June has identified some of the bridesmaids in the picture as Betty Young, Jean Lambert, Iris Horder, Margaret Benwell and Rita Bayley.

Unfortunately, June is the girl in the middle who has her face obscured by the girl in front turning sideways.

Contact Snapshots if you think you recognise anyone.