A couple who met while students at Leeds University have celebrated a special marital milestone with a short service of blessing and thanksgiving at St Herbert’s Parish Church in Braithwaite.
Family and friends gathered at the village church on Friday to congratulate Nigel and Christine Lewis, who live at Thornthwaite, on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary.
They were introduced while members of the University Officers’ Training Corps, which was a group from which the armed forces would recruit individuals from all walks of life. Members enjoyed taking part in outdoor pursuits and weekend adventures and were introduced to sporting opportunities.
Life in the military appealed to Nigel and he became a major in the 4th King’s Own Border Regiment (Territorial Army) and two of the couple’s friends, who both joined the army and subsequently married, helped them to celebrate their big day.
The couple, who moved to Braithwaite in 1985 and to Thornthwaite in 2015, were married at St Peter’s Parish Church, Swinton, Manchester on October 27 1973.
Nigel worked as a quality manager at Metal Box in Carlisle and at BNFL while Christine was a chemistry teacher for 24 years at Keswick School. They have two children – Phillip and Wendy – and three grand-daughters – Rachel, Ella and Chloe – who all live locally.
Nigel is a member of Keswick Rotary and is a former chair of the Keswick Victorian Fair, of which he is still actively involved. They both played badminton and squash in Keswick for years and are now active members of the Skiddaw U3A and volunteer for various charities including Hospice at Home.
The service at St Herbert’s, which was led by the Rev Robert Canham, was followed by a ‘glass of fizz’ and cake with family and friends. There then followed a meal with family at The Ruddings, Braithwaite.
Christine said the secret to a long and happy marriage was love, shared humour, compromise and two words “Yes dear!”
