The Golden Wedding Weekender

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!

So much happened and with so many excellent people that it's hard to recall exactly what went on. I'll give a few details at the bottom of this post, but for now, here's my contribution to the afternoon speeches - read from the terrace at the Fort to the assembled crowd of friends and family.

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!

On the Friday evening before the party, those staying at or nearby, (fourteen of us in total!), dined out at the hidden patio at bottom of the garden in what is now known as the Mediterranean Zone. The incredible weather, meant that we could sit out around a huge table, shaded by the trees until dark, for fine dining and present giving. An absolute magic evening and one of my highlights of the whole weekend.

The Saturday day saw the crowd swell to around 70 friends and family for the garden party, which involved huge amounts of food, poetry and live music performed by a band made up of aunts and cousins!

The sound of two saxophones, trumpet, violin, trombone, ukulele, guitar, bass and a handful of singers belted out some of Mum and Dad's favourite tunes across the garden. Just brilliant scenes.

Sunday saw a special 50th wedding service at St Leonard's, followed by another big meal with those who were staying nearby, this time at the village pub. A truly amazing weekend of celebrations. 

Mum and Dad - it's not just about having reached 50th years of marriage - to have so many people wanting to come over to be with you and to be able to throw such a party, at such an incredible venue - and take everyone out for dinner afterwards is something to be really proud of! Big Hugs!