FIFTY years married is a good achievement, 65 years and a Blue Sapphire anniversary (Sapphire is 45 years), are what Bill and Margaret Parr of Crediton celebrated yesterday, February 1.

During that time both have become very much intertwined with the life and commerce of Crediton.

They were married at Shobrooke Church because Margaret’s family had moved to the village from Moorlake where Margaret, nee Loosemore, grew up.

Bill’s family were at Gunstone and she and Bill used to walk or cycle home together. Their birthdays are just a week apart, Margaret is 87 and Bill is 92.

Both went to school in Crediton, Bill starting at Landscore then going on to the grammar school, Margaret starting at Miss Cornish’s School in Searle Street and later at Hayward’s. Her family was then living on Park Street.

Bill went to the technical college in Exeter for two years before joining an Exeter firm of civil engineers. After two years National Service, Bill returned to Harvey, McGill and Hayes.

Margaret worked for Crediton solicitors Dryden, Veitch and Penny, being one of the first women to work there.

When Crediton Town Council was created in the local government reorganisation, previously there had been Crediton Urban District Council and Crediton Rural Council, Margaret was its first clerk from 1974 for eight years.

She also worked for Barclays Bank in Exeter, for Arthur King Robinson at solicitors Symes Robinson and at Newcombes Surgery in Crediton.

Bill worked on many sewage and drainage schemes in the South West as part of his work for local authorities.

At Crediton this included putting in a road to the works that laid the foundation for Lords Meadow Industrial Estate, others included Torrington, Taunton, Tavistock, Barnstaple and parts of Cornwall.

Both are founder members and Bill is a former chairman of the Friends of Newcombes Surgery, now Redlands, Bill was chairman of Newcombes’ Housing Association, was a school governor at Hayward’s Primary School and a former chairman.

Both have given long service to Crediton Parish Church, Bill’s involvement beginning when he was one of four volunteer Vergers.

He has been a bellringer at the church since 1968, was Tower Captain for more than 30 years, has been one of the 12 Church Governors and was Warden of Governors.

He was Head Sidesman, organised the Sidesmen rota and was responsible for winding the church clock until it was fitted with an electric winder.

Margaret, whose father was a bellringer at Crediton, was one of the church flower arrangers for more than 40 years, helping with many events at the church. She was also a member of Crediton Women’s Institute.

Four bungalows were named “Parr House” at Newcombes in recognition of Bill who was then chairman of the Newcombes (Crediton) Housing Association Limited.

Margaret can remember many of the shops in Crediton when she was growing up and first married. Groceries were usually from Bicknell’s, there was Deem’s fish shop, Mansells florist and tobacconist to begin with.

She said sometimes she and friends or with Bill like to try to go along both sides of the High Street, listing the old shops.

Both are cared for by Meadow Carers of Crediton in their own home in Crediton overlooking the parish church. They have three children - two sons and a daughter, Mike, Dave and Vivian, plus six grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Margaret says she cannot remember them ever having a good row, “and we are still together which is wonderful.”

Sue Read