Good cook knows the way to keep her mans heart
That’s exactly what happened for one Newbury couple who celebrated 60 years of marriage last week.
Gordon and Audrey Lawrence, aged 83 and 80, who live in Fifth Road, tied the knot at St Nicolas’ Church, Newbury on September 19, 1953, coronation year.
Six decades and two children later, they are still happily married and have received a card from the Queen congratulating them on their diamond wedding.
The secret to their long marriage, Mrs Lawrence joked, was: “He wouldn’t go; I was too much of a good cook.
“We have known each other since our childhood, from the age of five. We were sweethearts right from the very beginning.
“We’ve always worked together and if one of us has ever needed anything we have always helped each other out.”
When the couple first got together in 1947, Mr Lawrence was in the Sea Cadets. He went on to work as an antique restorer for 40 years and has even designed a chest of drawers to celebrate their anniversary.
He said: “I have had a wonderful life and I don’t know what I would have done without Audrey. We have had a wonderful, happy marriage and are even hoping to celebrate our platinum anniversary together.”
Looking back with fondness, Mrs Lawrence added: “Gordon proposed to me at the side of Beacon Hill. I said yes straight away, there was no doubt in my mind, and I’ve still got the ring he gave me.
“My father was not too pleased about it at the time Gordon proposed because I was only 18, but he warmed to the idea eventually.”
The Lawrences have invited some 60 friends and family from as far as the US and Scotland to help them celebrate at a special lunch this weekend.
The couple have two sons, Vincent (aged 49) and Steven (aged 47), and Mrs Lawrence said that the two arrivals were among the proudest moments in her long marriage.
“Apart from my wedding, my fondest memory over the years has to be the birth of our sons.”
