It started with a dance... (From This is Hampshire)

It started with a dance...

12:00am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

A COUPLE from St Mary Bourne said “I do” 50 years after they first exchanged their vows, to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Ray and Gwen Randall, from St Mary Bourne, were married on 1 September, 1962, at All Hallows Church in Whitchurch and used the same day and date to renew their vows to one another in the same church.

Gwen, who is originally from Whitchurch, first laid eyes on Ray, who was born and raised in St Mary Bourne, when he would cycle past on his way to work and wave through the window of the cafe in Whitchurch in which Gwen would be sitting.

Gwen said: “We met at a dance in Overton and he was singing in the band and I recognised him from cycling past the cafe.”

Mrs Randall admitted that destiny may not have been fulfilled had she followed doctor’s orders.

“We (Gwen and her friend) had German measles, and we had arranged to go to this dance so we covered ourselves in make-up and went,” she said.

About 18 months after their first meeting the couple were married and honeymooned in Southsea.

They have three children and four grandchildren.

The secret to a long and happy marriage, according to Gwen, is to just be best friends.

Ray said: “Any disagreements, we get over it quickly.”

Gwen added: “I always think you have to be honest. If I don’t like what he is doing I tell him, I don’t bottle it up.”

After renewing their vows the couple had a party with 100 friends and family members at the Bourne Valley Inn.

They are continuing celebrating their anniversary by making a trip to northern Italy, where they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary 25 years ago.