Wow. What a weekend of full-on family fun and celebrations, we've been back in the village to mark the 50th Anniversary of my parents wedding back in 1972. It was a huge relief to find the van was still where we'd left it and that it started first time - we were going to make it!
Having rolled off the ferry on Friday morning, we sped westwards and arrived at Fort Martin at 10:59am - with a single minute to spare to toast the exact time and date of the wedding ceremony of half a century ago!
A Golden Couple
Colchester - 1972,
Is where my Mum and Dad first said ‘I do’
As full disclosure, I have to say,
I wasn’t there upon the day
But many here, remember well
The moment Bea and Al did tell
Of their commitment to each other
Before becoming my Dad and Mother
The senior guests who’re gathered here
Were on the scene to clap and cheer
When 50 years just yesterday,
My Grandad gave his Bea away
Charles and Doris stood beside her,
Knowing Al had played a blinder
Knowing that their love would last
Their little boy had grown up fast
There’s a photo of it in the house
Of when each became a loving spouse
The photo albums in full colour
Andrew’s in it, with little brother
Wally’s got his thumb held high
Tony’s beaming, at the sky
A tiny Patrick and Sarah too
Can all be seen within the view
Back then they all look oh so sweet
Now 50 years, again they meet
A happy day there is no doubt
Family, friends they all turned out
To get them started in good style
And wave them off on their first mile
To give advice and tips for life
For longevity of man and wife
And if you’ve seen the photograph,
You’ll find it quite hard not to laugh
At all the fashions of the day,
Impressive hats there on display
But most of all, you’ll see the smiles,
That still remain, through years and miles
Cos, 50 years is quite a run,
And I know you’ve have a lot of fun,
I’ve only witnessed 43
And know you’ve spent them happily
St Leonard’s known you 48,
Or so the parish records state
Imagine how many hymns you’ve sung
Or times you’ve heard the church bells rung?
That’s more than just a passing phase,
It’s over 18,000 days!
Of dedication, love and passion
And keeping shirts and ties in fashion
60 months of married bliss
Ever since that wedding kiss
And have the days, and months, and years
Seen ups and downs, or hopes and fears
Of course they have, but when things looked rough
You’ve never sweated the small stuff
You’ve helped Michelle and Trace and me
To be the best that we can be
As well as being quite the team
You both have skills that we’ve all seen
Skills that taught us lesson well
To dream up goals and how to tell
The right from wrong and in between
It’s a tricky path as you’ve now seen
So thank you Mum for all the sharing
Especially all the years of caring
Not just for Dad, ‘Chell, Trace and me
But for all here, in this family
And what of Dad, the honest man
Hard working, always with a plan
If you’ve taught us one thing, I should say
‘It’ll come in handy’, perhaps one day
He’s been the sand for your cement
A partner for the years you’ve spent
A brick among the rough hardcore
Foundations with a solid core
The house that you built here with Bea,
Is a landmark for this family
More than that, you’ve made your home
Fort Martin as it’s often known
The perfect place to celebrate
50 years was worth the wait!
So to you all, now in this section
You’ve each a Bea and Al connection
The new recruits and old ones here
You’ve played your part in the 50 year
And for that we’re giving thanks and praise
And shortly there’s a glass to raise,
But first, if I could just convey
Some gratitude on this fine day
For Brian, on being the Best Man
And marking sure things went to plan
Thanks to Howard for the tent
And Carl, for time with the strimmer spent
The garden’s looking quite first class
Despite the dried out yellow grass
At this point, now I start to fear
I’ll miss out, a key person here
So think I’ll say I’ve not got time
Or stamina to make it rhyme,
So, for everyone who’s helped today
Each in their own, and special way
From sending emails, sourcing cheese
To scoring music with such ease
For bringing instruments, to play
Or taking on the motorway
For changing plans, giving a lift
Your presence is a welcome gift
Mum and Dad, I can’t deny,
You keep the party standards high!
So Aunty Bea and Uncle Al,
The team that get along so well
Mr Martin, Mrs M - Dependably there again
For family, friends and village too,
They’re always there for me and you
An open door to welcome in
For cups of tea and often Gin
Grandma, Grandad, Ma or Pa
Your fans have traveled from afar
On their behalf, collectively,
I like to make a toast you see
To 50 Years and more to come from Dashin’ Dad and Supermum
So with the same and youthful cheers,
Let’s raise a glass to Golden Years!
“To Alan and Bea”
Hip-Hip! Hoorah!
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