On the 29th August 2010, our parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Simon and Brian hosted a lunch in recognition of this milestone at The Warren Golf Club in Woodham Walter.
Nearly 60 people attended with lots of old faces, but a few were unable to attend either through previous commitments or poor health, notably Christina and her family, Sheila and Louis Buckley, Mossie and Jim Doyle and Phyllis Milner.
The "stalwarts" were there though; Jim and Rosemary Banfield,
Tessa and Tim Allen,
and of course any time there is a free drink to be had you are bound to find "Twinkle-toes" O'Loughlin and long-suffering Miriel.
We were also delighted to welcome many old friends who aided and abetted at the original event 50 years ago.
Weren't you gorgeous?
Kitty was a bridesmaid and came with her husband Ken.
Colin Johnson, pictured with his wife Anne, also wore the morning dress at the original ceremony.
Lena, another of the bridesmaids was there with her husband Dick
Friends old and new loved Brian's speech. They were all able to find something of our parents in a perfectly pitched review of half a century.
I was personally pleased that Sister Rosemary (pictured with Rita) got a special mention for tolerating our noise and the vandalism of her Horse Chestnut tree with such good grace.
Carol and Ron Jones
Margaret and Raymond Kirkham
Allan and Jill Wiseman.
Reverend Carol and George Ball
Some revellers made a special effort to attend with Ralph and Dorothy Yeo making the journey from Devon.
Lisa and Conor (pictured with Maureen Devereaux) made it from Cork.
Bernadette and her husband Niall represented Sheila and Louis Buckley who were unable to make it.
Adrian and MaryVoller made a break and stayed for a couple of days.
It would not be possible for Mum to work with someone for more than a morning without striking up a friendship and taking over the raising of their children.
Maisie lost her son Johnathon (pictured below with his girlfriend Sophie) to Mum's eager guidance.
Jacqui and Eddie's children were well catered for before they met Mum.
Pauline and Sara
I wanted to acknowledge and thank Jenny and Frank who have been so good in helping with Joseph while Helen and I are working.
Sam Bobbet accompanied Joe on what might otherwise have been a very grown-up affair.
It was a real pleasure to see Jonty and Karen Bloom and to have them at our table. He was a little surprised to be asked, but then he does look a bit like Adrian Chiles.
The highlight was of course, Brian's toast which summed up 50 years of family life with Mum and Dad. If anyone has a video tape of the speech we would be very pleased to get a copy. Mum didn't listen for fear of being teased and Dad is as deaf as a post and couldn't hear it. If you have some footage, please send it to Graham at "The Lunar Project", Tech Pod 4 (top shed).
I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who came and sent their best wishes. It was really appreciated by us all and Mum and Dad both had a wonderful day.
Sandy and Anna
Simon, Helen and Joseph
Graham and Brian
Anna
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