A COUPLE from Sandford celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on Saturday, August 8.

David and Doris Friendship met as teenagers in the Rose and Crown at Sandford.

David came from Morchard Bishop and Doris was born in Sandford, and both attended local schools.

They were married at Sandford Congregational Church, and had their reception at Sandford Parish Hall, when Doris remembers that, at that time, all the wedding presents were also displayed in the hall.

Doris had three bridesmaids, Elizabeth and Marcia Friendship, and Julie Hooper, and two page boys, Paul Yelland and Andrew Warren.

David’s Best man was Christopher Howard (now decd). After the reception they left for their Honeymoon at Sandy Bay, Exmouth, one of their favourite places.

David worked for a local farmer at Morchard Bishop after leaving school and then for 43 years, until he retired, for Michael Lee at Dowrich.

Doris worked for Westward Babywear and Babychic in Crediton.

Due to Covid-19, their proposed holiday to celebrate the occasion had to be cancelled, but their daughter Mandy, arranged for them to stay with her, and organised a surprise family party at her home, when they cut an 50th Anniversary Cake, she had made.

The couple have two children Mandy and Patrick, and five grandchildren, Jordan, Charlie-Louise, Tia, Ryan and Courtney.

David is well-known as a gardener, for his Chrysanthemums, Asters and Zinneas, and has won many prizes and trophies with them, and also for his vegetables, including Giant Pumpkins and Marrows, which have also won awards.

This year he won third place in the annual Sandford Gardens Competition. He has also won prizes for his allotment in previous years. The couple agree that they have enjoyed 50 happy years, with their son and daughter, and their grandchildren.

Margaret Tucker