Couple renew vows 65 years on

Jul 26 2008 by Jon Tunney, The Journal

A COUPLE who wed 65 years ago recreated their big day to renew their vows. Bill and Jenny Mather relived their original wedding when their daughters surprised them by organising it.

June Spence, 57, and Diane Wailes, 52, made sure every detail was right for their parents, even down the original bridesmaids – who are now octogenarians.

Bill, 87, and Jenny, 84, pledged their undying love to each other at St Bartholomew’s Parish Church, Long Benton, North Tyneside, in the same way they did in 1943.

The happy couple retraced their steps up the aisle and the sight of the bridesmaid trio Doreen Hutchinson, 84, Kathleen Alexander, 81, and Mary Mather, 81, made the day complete for the Cramlington couple.

Jenny, 84, said: “It’s been a really great surprise, I think it’s absolutely marvellous.

“It’s lovely because I never knew that my bridesmaids were going to be here and I haven’t seen them for a while.

“I’ll never forget our wedding day and the church is just the same as it ever was. I can still visualise standing there all those years ago. It was a bright, lovely sunny day.”

Former train fireman Bill, 87, said: “It’s been overwhelming really. In the days we married reaching 60 was thought of as old, so we never thought we’d be married for 65 years!

“The church is just how I imagined it and I’m over the moon to take our vows again.

“We are still in love – more than ever. I think you have to tell each other you still love each other. I often do it, I think it’s essential.”

And the day brought back memories of the war years when they wed. Bill, who also worked for the National Coal Board and American Air Filters, added: “It was the dark days of the war when we married, I remember we could only have the reception hall until 6pm and it was such a job to get Jenny’s bridal gear.”

The big day was also special for bridesmaid Mary who met her late husband George, who was his brother Bill’s best man. She even wore Jenny’s wedding dress when they wed a few years later.

Bill and Jenny enjoyed a champagne celebration before dinner with friends and family, including grandchildren Paul, 22, Rachel, 32, and Karen, 30, along with great grandson 11-month-old James.