JOHN Gooding (88 this month) and his wife Elsie (92) recently celebrated their Sapphire Wedding.

They tied the knot 65 years ago at Crediton Methodist Church, on July 27 that year, and held their reception at the Church Worker’s Institute, which is now the Dental Clinic.

The best man was Gilbert Hookway, and Elsie had four bridesmaids including her sister Bessie.

The couple then travelled by train to Weston-Super-Mare for their honeymoon.

John was born in Park Street and went to Haywards School and Elsie was born at Long Barn, now Creedy Manor and went to school at Newton St Cyres.

They met when they were both working at Bristow’s sweet factory, and Elsie was attending the High Street Chapel. Both agree that it was love at first sight... John had finished his national service in the Army Catering Corps, and had served in the Suez crisis.

He later worked on the building at the Milk Factory in Crediton, and finally until he retired from Fyffes in Exeter, after 38 years.

Elsie, was an assistant in Walton’s in Exeter, which was then known as Huttons, but later she moved back to Crediton, to help look after her parents who were in poor health. She later worked as a kitchen assistant at the old Shelley School.

John has always been known as a Lay Preacher, but has now retired from this, and he and Elsie are enjoying a quiet life after moving to a bungalow in Shobrooke, earlier this year.

John says it is so much easier, not having any stairs and says it is lovely as they are near their son. Elsie added that the neighbours are fantastic.

John and Elsie have two sons, Steven and David, and daughters-in-law, Becky and Caroline, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren, all of whom are a great joy to them.

They have both attended Crediton Congregational Church, since the High Street Chapel closed.

They celebrated their anniversary, quietly with an Open House, for family and friends to just drop in, which they thought was lovely.

The couple agreed they have enjoyed a very happy marriage, and remember their very first date, when John took Elsie to Betram Mills Circus in Exeter.

They have always believed in prayer and have been blessed with a wonderful family, and are really enjoying their new abode in Shobrooke.

MT