A COUPLE who moved to Upton Hellions four years ago have recently celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary.

John and Hilary Haddleton celebrated with a lunch party for 48 family and friends at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London, as they said that was the most central point for a Get Together.

At the end of the lunch, they cut their three tier celebration cake, made by their elder daughter, Louise. One tier was carrot cake, the second was chocolate, and the third was a sponge, so it was something for everyone and all agreed it was very delicious.

John, who is 85, was born in Coventry and Hilary in Oxford. They were married at St Aldate’s Church in Oxford and went to Portugal for their honeymoon.

John said they met at a party and he then took Hilary to Silverstone as he is a dedicated racing enthusiast.

He is still very keen on old cars and has a 1936 Riley which he takes to rallies, and recently drove it to Northampton for a rally where he received a certificate for the car which had been driven the furthest.

John did his National Service in the RAF at Catterick in Yorkshire and later became an accountant, until he retired.

Before they were married Hilary was a District Nurse/Midwife working with the sisters of St John the Divine. The second part of her midwifery training was at the British Hospital for Mothers and Babies at Deptford, London where she said everyone was very dedicated.

Hilary, now 81, said that at that time working as a midwife was very similar to “Call the Midwife”, the popular BBC television series.

While John was always happy restoring old cars, Hilary loved tennis and board and card games.

After living in Solihull for most of their married life, they moved to Upton Hellions four years ago and love it there.

Hilary is a member of Sandford Good Companions and they belong to St Swithun’s Church. They also enjoy the monthly lunches at Sandford Congregational Church Hall.

The couple have one son, two daughters and seven grandchildren, one family living locally as well.

They agree they are very lucky having had 50 interesting and glorious years, and now living in the wonderful area of Mid Devon.