Gosport couple are inundated with flowers on 65th wedding anniversary

To celebrate their 65 years of marriage, friends and family from across the country had sent them countless bouquets of flowers which made their house look like a florist’s.

Despite coronavirus restrictions, the Gosport couple had a ‘lovely day’ on March 24 with their family bubble. Maurice, 90, says: ‘It feels quite amazing to be married for 65 years.’

Maurice and Joy, née Saxby, met at a dance at Clayhall Road, Gosport. Maurice, also known as Joe, says: ‘I caught sight of a beautiful red-headed girl and asked her to dance.’

Much of the couple’s courtship took place around Gosport and especially at dance halls, because they both loved dancing. Their love blossomed and the couple tied the knot at St Thomas’ Church, Elson, on March 24, 1956. Both very family-orientated people, the couple’s two daughters, Helen and Sandra, visit them both regularly. The Walkers have seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

To mark their special day, they enjoyed a small buffet prepared by their daughters and carers. Their daughter, Helen Westripp, adds: ‘Victoria’s Florist in Stoke Road did some amazing arrangements and it's thanks to the clever people in these small businesses that my parents enjoyed such a wonderful day.’