Colliery duo's 60 years' bliss
FAMILY flew across the globe to help an animal-loving couple mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
Margaret and Jeffrey Backhouse, of Silcoates Lane, Wrenthorpe, were joined by Margaret's sister, Joan, and her husband, John, who flew from Australia for the 60th anniversary last Thursday.
Mr and Mrs Backhouse married in Stanley in 1948, with Joan, and Margaret's other sister, Mary, as bridesmaids.
The couple met when they both worked at Newmarket Colliery, and got engaged just before Mr Backhouse went into National Service.
Mrs Backhouse said: "We stayed in touch by writing letters every day. It was something you just had to put up with."
After two years service, he returned and the couple married.
Mrs Backhouse said: "I walked down the aisle to the Londonderry Air because the organ player got carried away and didn't realise I had arrived.
"After waiting a while, my father and I decided just to set off."
Mr and Mrs Backhouse lived in Stanley until 1964 when they moved to Wrenthorpe.
They have always been united by a passion for keeping and showing dogs.
They spent a six-month period living in San Francisco running a boarding kennels before returning home to Wakefield.
The couple have family across the world, with four nieces and nephews living in Australia, three living in Canada, as well as two in England.
They celebrated their anniversary with a meal out with close family and friends.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wakefield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
