From Robert Sheldon
This article was originally published in the August 2007 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society
The following article appeared in the Thanet Times on 12th December 1936.
Mr and Mrs SOLE hold Farewell Party
After thirty years spent as Bailiff at Thorne Farm Minster, Mr Arthur SOLE has retired, and on Saturday evening he and Mrs SOLE (née Emily Mary ASH) invited the staff with their wives and families to a farewell party at the New Inn, Minster.
Over forty friends enjoyed a delightful evening, and many tributes of respect and esteem were paid to Mr and Mrs SOLE.
On behalf of the staff and their wives, Mr W COOPER presented Mr and Mrs SOLE with a purse of money, wishing them many years of peace and happiness. Miss Marion COOPER handed Mrs SOLE a bouquet and her husband was given a ‘bouquet’ of garden produce.
Old songs which will always be dear to the hearts of the country folk were sung by members of the staff and the evening came to the close with the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
Mr SOLE was born at Sawkins Farm, Stodmarsh, over 73 years ago and was the son of the late Mr John SOLE who was Bailiff there for a number of years. Mr Arthur SOLE farmed at Whitelocks, Kingston for seven years and at Swanton, Littlebourne for ten years, before coming to Thanet thirty years ago.
Mrs SOLE was born at Woolton Farm, Littlebourne and was married (1886) to Mr SOLE at St Vincent’s Parish Church, Littlebourne. Last May they celebrated their Golden Wedding. Both Mr and Mrs SOLE are in the best of health, and attribute their fitness to the out-door life they have led.
They have one son (Herbert), who is in the Metropolitan Police Force, four married daughters and eleven grandchildren.
One of their daughters, Mrs (Lilian) DENNING, resides at Charlotte Place, Margate and other daughters are at Tunbridge Wells and London.
During their retirement, Mr and Mrs SOLE will be close to their old friends, as they will move to a cosy bungalow on Tothill, aptly named ‘Torestin’.
Postscript: Arthur lived on in retirement until his death in 1942, aged 79, leaving £605 in his estate. Emily survived a further eleven years before her death in Margate in 1953 at the age of 88 years.