Humour is the key to 50 years of marriage

The couple, who are both 73 years old, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 26 and agree that their mutual sense of humour is the reason for their half-a-century-old happy marriage.

They were married in 1964, after meeting at a bus station, in England, in their teens.

Viv, from Chester, and Geoff, from Manchester, were both on their way to separate hiking trips when a mutual friend, who was with Viv, recognised and greeted Geoff, after which they decided to hike together.

“I thought he had lovely legs; he was wearing shorts on the hike,” said an amused Viv.

The following week, Geoff got Viv’s residential address and visited there, to invite her to attend a Chris Barber concert with him.

At the same time Viv needed her record player fixed, which Geoff managed to do.

Viv said this had her thinking he was amazing, because he could mend things.

Geoff said there were many things about Viv that contributed to him feeling attracted to her.

“She was a very nice-looking young lady; the first time I met her, she was just turning 18 years old,” he said.

They moved to South Africa in 1974, after Geoff signed a three-year job contract, which eventually became permanent.

Geoff was a chemist while Viv practiced many different occupations.

She said she still loves Geoff, because he is a challenging person.

“I love his giggle; when something amuses him, he has the most enchanting laugh,” she added.

After 50 years of being married to her, Geoff still brings Viv tea in bed every morning.

Geoff said he loves his wife because she never sits still.

“She does so many things — she is supposed to be retired, but oh, boy,” he said.

Viv is a member of the Reading Gogos, a Sunday School teacher and a volunteer at the Salvation Army.

She also enjoys crocheting and is a member of two Scrabble clubs.

Geoff is a member of the Ward 27 committee and the Benoni CPF.

He is also a keen bridge player and regular quiz participant at McGinty’s.

As well as this, Geoff has donated more than 330 units of blood to SANBS.

“He is Benoni’s champion blood donor,” said Viv.

She said it is important to keep busy in order to not get long in the tooth.

“You need to keep interested in the world around you and be involved in your community,” she added.

The couple makes regular dates to watch movies.

Some of their favourites include Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

The couple said they balance each other out, as Geoff is a pessimist, while Viv is an optimist.

“We’ve spent all these years slightly changing each other,” said Viv.

“It hasn’t worked, but we are still trying,” joked Geoff.

They have three daughters, Jacquie Jones, and Jennie and Lucy Ridyard, and five grandsons whom they love dearly.

Photographs of them brighten the Ridyard’s living room.

When asked what advice the couple has for younger couples hoping to achieve the same milestone, they said: “You must be in it for life”.

“When we got married all that time ago, it was for good; we did not think let us try it out and see how it goes.

“It’s for better or for worse — we had our ups and downs — you just have to get on with it,” said Viv.

She added that she thinks it is sad when couples separate, because the memories made together are too plentiful.

The Ridyards celebrated their anniversary, with daughter Lucy, at the Chef Shop, in the Northmead Square.