TWO sisters are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary together – 50 years after they wed their sweethearts on the same day.

Roslyn and Madeleine Muxworthy regularly travelled to Haltwhistle, Northumberland, from their home in Lemington, Newcastle, to visit their grandparents during their teenage years.

Roslyn met her beau Eddie Parker at a fun fair in the market town before Madeleine fell for Terry Norman, who ran a coffee shop on the main street in Haltwhistle.

The two sisters said they were as close as twins when growing up and when they found their respective partners, they naturally wanted a double wedding at Lemington’s Sugley Parish Church on Saturday, March 16, 1963.

Older sister Roslyn was given away by the pair’s late father Tom while their late uncle Lance had the honour of giving Madeleine away.

Roslyn recalled how they wed in one of the worst winters in living memory.

She said: “The weather was terrible. We had to get the snow cleared from the house before the wedding. We were both getting married and it was just we decided to make it a double wedding.

“I suppose it’s not something that you hear of happening very often, but it just seemed like the right thing to do. As it happens, our next door neighbours are getting married tomorrow, on our 50th anniversary.

“So hopefully that is a good omen for them.”

The double ceremony 50 years ago was conducted by Rev Sydney Long. Despite having a joint big day, each couple made their vows separately.

Madeleine, who is 18 months younger than her sister, said: “The church was packed. It was a very special day for us all. It’s lovely to think we can reflect on it all these years later.”

The sisters were born in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, before moving to Lemington, where they grew up. Their married lives have been spent in Haltwhistle.

Roslyn, 70 and Eddie, 76, have three children and six grandchildren. Eddie was a miner at the former Bardon Mill and Blenkinsopp collieries, while Roslyn worked at a chemist in Haltwhistle and was a registered child minder.

Eddie said: “The time has flown by but we’ve always been there for each other. We’ve enjoyed our time with the family had had our fair share of holidays abroad.”

Madeleine, 68, and Terry, 80, who have two children and four grandchildren are keen travellers, and enjoy collecting curios from their trips.

Terry served in the Merchant Navy, and was accompanied by his wife in one of his West African trips in the 1960s. He ran The Coffee Pot in Haltwhistle and the couple later ran a guest house in the town for 22 years, before Madeleine worked at Boots the chemist in Hexham.

Terry said: “Life is so full with work and family, you don’t have time to reflect on it. I suppose the 50 years has passed quickly.”

Madeleine added: “As a couple you have to be friends and you go through everything together. My sister and I have always been great friends and were like twins when we were little.”

We were both getting married and it was just we decided to make it a double wedding