Baby girl fifth generation christened at Romsey Abbey

Marlowe Beatty, eight months, was christened on Sunday, November 2 at 12.45pm, within the same walls that have witnessed significant life events of her ancestors.

Marlowe's great-great-grandparents and founders of the Alma Road surgery, Tom and Kathleen Lalonde, were married there, as well as her great-grandparents, Sally and Dr Peter Dale, who were also long-standing Romsey residents.

The Dale's lived and worked opposite the abbey for their entire married lives.

Marlowe's mother, Poppy Wilson, said: "It's very special to be carrying on the legacy, we are really looking forward to it. I have so many memories growing up in Romsey and our family has so much history here."

The Beatty family on the day of Marlowe's christening. (Image: Ally Capper)

Marlowe's grandmother, Ally Capper, said: "We had a wonderful celebration. Many family members, including her grandparents, have been christened in the Abbey as well as her aunty Gemma and mum Poppy."

The christening dress Marlow was wearing was purchased by Kathleen Lalonde and has been worn by every generation since for christenings at the Abbey. 

Marlowe's christening saw around 70 people attend, with family members coming from as far as Ireland to celebrate the event.

The christening was not just a ceremony but a continuation of a family tradition deeply intertwined with Romsey's history.

The abbey also hosted the weddings of Marlowe's great-great aunt and uncle, as well as her grandparents.

In a touching tribute, Marlowe's great-great-aunt, Fenella Gammel, also has a door dedicated to her memory in the abbey's west transept, honouring her work as a founding member of the Open Gate Stroke Society.