Hillcrest couple’s love sparkles

HILLCREST couple Patricia and Charles Buckley celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday, February 23.

They tied the knot at St Michael’s Church in Welling, Kent, England 60 years ago.

Their beautiful love journey was also made extra special by a congratulations message from King Charles and Camilla.

The lovebirds said they knew each other from their school days, and later, they became part of a growing band of working-class youngsters in the United Kingdom that formed part of a cultural revolution which was described as the ‘swinging sixties’.

“During this period, we had Bill Hayley, Elvis Presley and of course, later, the Beatles, which we partied to late into the night,” said Charles.

Their relationship grew in their late teens, and they started to see each other more often.

“There was, however, another admirer who fancied Patricia. Fortunately, I was able to make my move when the other contender received his call-up papers to join the army and was sent abroad.

“At the time, conscription was being abolished, but he was unlucky, unlike myself who was a year younger and missed conscription. I always remember when the soldier came home on leave, and word got that he was going to ‘punch out my lights’, but instead, fortunately, he melted away,” said Charles.

At the age of 19, Patricia and Charles were inseparable.

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“A marriage proposal was now on the cards, but first, I had to ask permission from Patricia’s parents, and they agreed. In those days, long engagements were frowned upon, and therefore, plans were made for the wedding day to take place the following February.”

The Buckleys said it was feared that their wedding would be postponed as it had been snowing since Christmas.

“It was so cold that the sea froze in places up to a mile from shore. It later transpired that 1963 was one of the coldest winters on record. Although the main roads were just negotiable, the minor roads were completely blocked by drifting snow. There was concern that the bridal car could not get to the house on the day. After a few phone calls to the town council, they came to the rescue and spent the whole morning clearing the road of snow,” said Charles.

After the wedding, the couple said they enjoyed a grand reception at the local community centre. “And around midnight, we said our goodbyes and jumped into our Hillman Minx for the road trip to the honeymoon hotel.

“The journey was some 50 miles, and it took us ages to get there because the car had no heater, and we had to stop frequently to scrape the frost from the windscreen. We eventually arrived at the hotel around 02:00, and fortunately, there was still a porter available to see us to our room.

“We left the car on the seafront, which was a big mistake as we discovered the next day that the engine and radiator were frozen solid. Fortunately, we had a week to sort it out for the journey home,” said Charles.

Patricia said marriage has its ‘ups and downs’, and they were no exception.

“However, when we were blessed with a daughter in 1968, the true meaning of marriage and parental responsibility was realised, which brought us even closer.

“After both our parents passed away in the UK, we decided to sell up to be close to our daughter in South Africa, where she had set up home with her husband.

“We are both now in our 80th year and have never regretted leaving behind the cold British winter weather.”

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