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Newbury couple celebrate 50 years of marriage




Golden wedding raises more than £1,000 for charity

A NEWBURY couple brought together through a love of sport more than half-a-century ago celebrated 50 years of marriage at the weekend.

John and Gail Spencer tied the knot on July 30, 1966, at St Mary’s Church, Shaw, and celebrated their golden wedding at Mill Hall, Newbury on Saturday, with more than 100 family and friends.

And, 50 years ago, true to their passion for sport, the pair stood at the altar in 1966 on the very day that England lifted the World Cup.

“We both played a lot of sports and were close neighbours,” said Mrs Spencer.

“On the day of the wedding the ladies missed the game but the men watched it, of course. It was definitely a memorable day.”

Since then, the couple, who have lived in Newbury all their lives, have run a number of successful local business together, including Greenacres Squash and Tennis Club and the Enborne Grange Hotel.

However, Mr and Mrs Spencer, now aged 77 and 69, say they have never let their business ventures, nor their competitive nature on the sportsfield, boil over into their married life.

“For 25 years we have worked together and we have each had our own parts to play,” said Mrs Spencer.

“We have managed to succeed in three businesses and luckily we have made it work. We still play golf, we’re both members of Newbury and Crookham Gold Club, and there’s always a bit of competition when we do play together. We still enjoy it and that’s the main thing.”

Mr and Mrs Spencer, who have two children, Dudley and Caroline, and three grandchildren, Georgia, Sofia and Jake, welcomed more than 100 guests from across the globe to celebrate their anniversary.

However, they asked guests to donate money to their nominated charity rather than buying anniversary gifts.

And, in doing so, more than £1,000 has been raised, which will be split between Hope for Tomorrow, which provides the mobile chemotherapy bus at West Berkshire Community Hospital, and Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Spencer, who had endured a three-year battle with cancer, said: “It was a wonderful day. We have many friends and family who have helped us through the years and we would like to thank all of those who have offered their support.”



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