Golden Anniversary

Today was my parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary. 50 years of marriage. Not always plain sailing but they worked at it.

They married when my Dad was still only 19 and a few weeks before he returned for his second year studying Civil Engineering at Sheffield University. My Mum was still training to be a nurse.

They now live back in East Yorkshire but for 30 years of their marriage they lived in Lowestoft, Suffolk - not far from where I live now. I knew that they would not want anything big or fancy as a celebration and, as I'm working, I wouldn't be able to visit them. So they decided to come back down to Suffolk, to catch up with old friends and splash out a bit on a stay at the Swan Hotel in Southwold.

This morning I was able to go over and join them for breakfast. Then they opened the cards that they had brought with them.

After work, I returned to the hotel for dinner with them and my Dad's cousin and her husband. It was a fabulous evening - great company and excellent food. I gave them the present which I'd ordered at the Birdfair in August. It's an image by Oliver Smart. My parents love Puffins living, as they do, not far from Bempton Cliffs.

I thought it would be nice to include here a few memories that my parents have of their actual wedding day. Here is what they recalled.

The wedding took place at Intake in Sheffield and was taken by Rev Norman Webb, the Chaplain of Sheffield University Methodist Society. My Mum's father was pleased to be able to take a back seat for once, being a Methodist Minister himself!! The photographer had to hunt my Dad down. He'd been persuaded into the local pub by his brother (best man) and his parents. Well it was foggy and not very nice outside!!! My Dad's aunt and uncle were more practical and got out a primus stove for a brew behind the chapel wall. It was a wedding done on a budget. Flowers £3, photos £9 (for 1 large album and 1 smaller one), dress £9 (secondhand) and the bridesmaid dress was made from recycled material. The reception was held in the chapel schoolroom and the food provided by ladies from the chapel. A chapel member provided beautiful carnations grown in his own garden. The cake was made by my Dad's mother and iced - wait for it - by my Dad!!!! After the wedding they were taken to Monsal Head by my Mum's father in the car which he part owned with his son, David. This had to be done quickly as David was taking his girlfriend out. Mum and Dad took great delight in covering the interior with confetti which David would have to clean out before his date!!

I'm sorry that this has taken so long to get blipped. Events rather overtook me.