Renewing their vows 61 years on

The couple, of Topping Fold Road, Bury, were married in 1939 and were the oldest couple to reaffirm their promises at the Parish of St John the Baptist, Church, Bircle, on Saturday (Oct 14).

"It was a very nice service," said Helen. "We had never really thought about renewing our vows until the vicar mentioned it."

Their wedding day passed by in a blur because George, who was in the navy, was posted to Belfast the following day.

"Everybody was worried by the outbreak of war," said George, a former supervisor at Yates Duxbury and Sons Paper Mill at Heap Bridge. "You didn't know if you were going to come back.

"We got married on special licence while I was on weekend leave so it was quite hurried. I took the vows more seriously this time."

"I was miles away when we got married," added Helen. "I have got a good memory but my memories of that day are vague."

The couple met while out dancing and were married at Radcliffe Parish Churc. But rationing measures meant their wedding had none of the trimmings of a modern celebration.

The couple arrived at the church by taxi and, instead of a reception, went back to Helen's sister's house. A honeymoon was out of the question as George spent the next two years away from his bride in the navy.

"While I was away, Helen lived with her sister, whose husband was away in the marines," said George.

George and Helen have two children, a grand-daughter and two great grandchildren. Their son, Philip, lives in Bury while daughter Hileen lives in Australia.

On their diamond wedding anniversary last year they received a telegram from the Queen and Helen joked they had more of a celebration than when they originally got married.

"I don't even remember if we had a cake at the wedding," said Helen. "If we did have one it was very small!"

On Saturday the couple were able to cut into a cake they will remember.

"It was beautiful," said Helen. "It was very large and was in the shape of a book."