Double anniversary for Suffolk family

AN IPSWICH couple have welded a strong bond an amazing 65 years of marriage - on the same day their daughter celebrated her ruby wedding.

Pip and Elizabeth Ward, both 84, of Mallard Court, Ipswich, have been together since 1942 when they met at a friend's wedding. A year later they were exchanging their own vows at St Mary at Stoke Church, in Ipswich.

Mr Ward was given three days off home guard duties to tie the knot, before returning to Ransomes Sims & Jeffries where he worked as a welder.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ward, née Hawksbee, was called up to work in the factories - also as a welder.

When the war was over, the couple had their first daughter, Janet. Their youngest child has her own family in America now, but the 63-year-old made it all the way from the New Jersey to celebrate her parent's blue sapphire wedding.

But there was another reason for her making the transatlantic journey to Suffolk, as her little sister, Jean Hunwicke, and her husband, Geoff, celebrated their 40th anniversary.

The couple met at a dance in the Baths Hall, on the corner of St Matthew's Street.

Mrs Hunwicke, 59, said: “The hall isn't called that anymore but they used to board over the swimming pool and hold dances there.

“We went out for about six months and got engaged. We were married at St Francis Church, in Chantry, about six months later.

Mrs Hunwicke decided, with her fiancé, to push the date of the wedding back to coincide with her parent's 25th anniversary.

The couple now live in Spenser Road and put their long lasting relationship down to teamwork.

Mrs Hunwicke said: “It's all about staying together. Like my parents, we've had our ups and downs but it's important to have good family values.

The Wards, who have six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, celebrated their joint achievement with the Hunwickes over a meal at the Black Tiles, in Martlesham, and looked forward to many more shared anniversaries.