A Congleton couple who first met during a weekend trip to Blackpool are celebrating their platinum wedding.
Gordon Ratcliffe, and Sylvia Ratcliffe, aged 94 and 89, married at St Stephen’s Church in Congleton on 1st September 1956.
Jess Finney, Mr and Mrs Ratcliffe’s only granddaughter, told the “Chronicle”: “They got together after they met on a weekend trip to Blackpool in August 1954.
“My grandad was from Stoke, and my nan has always lived in Congleton. They’ve been together ever since.
“They had their telegram from the Queen for their 60th anniversary 10 years ago, and they’ve just had their latest one from the King for their 70th. They’ve got them framed in the lounge.”
Ms Finney explained that her grandmother had her wedding dress made into other dresses so that she could wear them when she went dancing.
After marrying, the couple set up home together in a cottage at Eaton Bank in Buglawton, before moving to Back Lane, finally settling on Sandbach Road, where they have spent the last 62 years.
The couple had two children, John, (53), and Carol, (50), who is Ms Finney’s mother.
As the “Chronicle” reported for the couple’s 60th anniversary, Mr Ratcliffe worked at Taylor and Hartley, a textile mill in Congleton, for the majority of his married life. He ended his career at Christie’s, a hat factory in Stockport.
Mrs Ratcliffe was also employed at Taylor and Hartley, at first folding cloth before moving to the office to carry out administrative work.
When her son was born, she left the firm, but later worked at Westlands School and the Three Cooks cafe.
When the “Chronicle” asked about the secret to their long marriage in 2016, Mrs Ratcliffe said: “Everyone has their ups and downs, but as long as you stay together that’s the main thing.”
This was echoed by her husband, who said: “It’s important to get on with one another whatever happens. Everyone has their ups and downs.”
Ms Finney said: “On the day of their anniversary, I took my grandparents to Toby Carvery because they like it there. The staff gave them their puddings for free!”
The following weekend, the couple were joined by the rest of their family for a three-course meal at the Egerton Arms in Astbury, where they had also celebrated their 60th anniversary ten years ago.
