Couple who found love on Hayling Island 51 years ago return for golden wedding celebrations

A COUPLE who found true love on Hayling Island more than 50 years ago returned to reminisce about the place they met.
Belinda Dickins
By Belinda Dickins
Published 11th Mar 2020, 17:47 BST
Updated 11th Mar 2020, 17:48 BST
Reg and Patsy Killengray returned to Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island, 51 years after meeting there. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (110320-016)Reg and Patsy Killengray returned to Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island, 51 years after meeting there. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (110320-016)
Reg and Patsy Killengray returned to Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island, 51 years after meeting there. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (110320-016)

Reg and Patsy Killengray will celebrate their golden wedding this year - and to mark the occasion they were given a special tour of Mill Rythe Holiday Village where they met 51 years ago.

Fate brought the pair together as 18-year-old Patsy Mullings was nearly unable to go on the holiday after her friend dropped out, but she managed to bring her 14-year-old sister Susan along instead.

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Reg was visiting Sunshine Holiday Camp, as it was called, with a friend’s family and celebrated his 18th birthday during their week’s holiday.

Reg and Patsy Killengray from Bletchley met at Mill Rythe Holiday Village 51 years ago, and returned for a tour for their 50th wedding anniversary. Pictured: Reg and Patsy in their winning costumes for the fancy dress contest as 'Shotgun Wedding'Reg and Patsy Killengray from Bletchley met at Mill Rythe Holiday Village 51 years ago, and returned for a tour for their 50th wedding anniversary. Pictured: Reg and Patsy in their winning costumes for the fancy dress contest as 'Shotgun Wedding'
Reg and Patsy Killengray from Bletchley met at Mill Rythe Holiday Village 51 years ago, and returned for a tour for their 50th wedding anniversary. Pictured: Reg and Patsy in their winning costumes for the fancy dress contest as 'Shotgun Wedding'

The pair quickly grew close, and even entered - and won - a fancy dress competition styled as ‘Shotgun Wedding’ with Patsy in a suit and Reg dolled up in a white crochet dress, while Patsy also came second in a beauty contest.

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The 68-year-old said: ‘When we walked in I was quite overwhelmed because everyone cheered us.

‘I came second in the beauty contest but I suppose I got first prize because I got him.’

Reg and Patsy Killengray returned to Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island, 51 years after meeting there. They are pictured in the ballroom. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (110320-012)Reg and Patsy Killengray returned to Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island, 51 years after meeting there. They are pictured in the ballroom. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (110320-012)
Reg and Patsy Killengray returned to Mill Rythe Holiday Village, Hayling Island, 51 years after meeting there. They are pictured in the ballroom. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (110320-012)
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After Reg returned home to Markyate and Patsy to Hackney, they struck up a long-distance relationship and saw each other once a week, before marrying the following year on November 7, 1970.

As part of their anniversary celebrations, the happy couple who now live in Bletchley toured Mill Rythe to take a trip down memory lane.

Reg said: ‘It’s been really strange, I wish I could remember more about it.’

The Killengrays have two daughters, Nicola and Tracey, and shared their thoughts on how to have a long and happy marriage.

Reg and Patsy Killengray from Bletchley met at Mill Rythe Holiday Village 51 years ago, and returned for a tour for their 50th wedding anniversary. Pictured: Reg and Patsy at their wedding on November 7, 1970Reg and Patsy Killengray from Bletchley met at Mill Rythe Holiday Village 51 years ago, and returned for a tour for their 50th wedding anniversary. Pictured: Reg and Patsy at their wedding on November 7, 1970
Reg and Patsy Killengray from Bletchley met at Mill Rythe Holiday Village 51 years ago, and returned for a tour for their 50th wedding anniversary. Pictured: Reg and Patsy at their wedding on November 7, 1970
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‘You have got to give and take and treat one another how you want to be treated yourself,’ said Patsy.

‘I can honestly say it’s been a really happy marriage. People don’t give it a chance now. You have to work at it and keep it fresh’

Proud daughter Nicola, 47, said: ‘With everything happening in the world, it makes you think true love does exist.

‘They still have so many adventures together and they still have so much fun and that’s so important really, they’re an amazing couple.’

Related topics:Hayling Island

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