Keswick couple Pat and Mike Walker had been looking forward to celebrating their diamond wedding in sparkling style this year.
But COVID restrictions means their plans to mark 60 years of marriage have been delayed until later this year.
Instead Mike, who turned 85 on Wednesday, and Pat, 81, celebrated at home with a Chinese takeaway — side by side.
Mike was born in Formby, Lancashire, but moved to Keswick with his parents when he was just two years old. Pat was born and grew up in Uldale.
After school, Mike went in the army to do his national service and was stationed in Germany.
He returned to Keswick and began work as a postman for the Royal Mail and worked there until he was 50. He then went to work as an information centre officer, for the Lake District National Park until retirement.
Pat spent a year working as a cadet nurse at Keswick Hospital when she left school before going on to study as a State Registered Nurse at Carlisle Hospital from the age of 18.
The couple initially met at the Saturday night dance at The Pavilion in Keswick when Pat was 17 and the couple dated but it was when she completed her training that they married at Uldale Church on March 25, 1961,followed by a reception in The George Hotel in St John’s Street.
The couple have spent all their married life in Keswick, initially with Mike’s mum, but then moved to a flat in Station Street before moving on to two properties in Wordsworth Street.
They eventually moved to Manor Park, where they still live.
The couple have two children; David, who was a local pharmacist and still lives in Keswick and Helen, who married Chris McClure and lives in Florida.
As well as their own children, they also brought up Mike’s brother David’s twin girls after the tragic death of his wife a week after giving birth.
The girls, Susan MacPherson and Gillian Holme, still live in Keswick.
The couple also have three granddaughters – Poppy, Rosie and Gracie – who live in Florida.
Just over a year ago, all 10 members of the family travelled to the States for the wedding of eldest grandchild Poppy to Colin Aguado.
Pat said: “That was probably the last time we have been out of the area.”
Pat stayed at home looking after the four children until they were all teenagers, when she went back to her career as a nurse, working part-time at Keswick Hospital.
When the couple finally retired more than 20 years ago, they bought a holiday home in Florida, so they could spend time with family there and would go and stay for three months at a time.
Mike has always been a huge snooker fan and was friends with many of the stars, in particular Cliff Thorburn, who regularly visited his home.
When Mike was a voluntary youth leader in Keswick between 1970 and 1982, he organised a number of fund-raising exhibition matches with the likes of Cliff Thorburn, Dennis Taylor, Alex Higgins and Willie Thorne.
The couple have always loved walking and they still enjoy a stroll around the parks and down to Derwentwater. Mike was also a keen golfer, until a shoulder injury meant he had to give up. Pat has also been a keen gardener and loves to read too,
But for the couple, it has always been about family and they like nothing better than getting together ,even if it has to be via Skype at the moment.
Pat said: “We have had ups and downs over the years but we made our vows and have had a very happy life and and enjoyed time as a close-knit family.
“Even after 60 years, we love each other and Mike can be quite the romantic at times.”
