Sixty-five years of joyful love for this Copnor couple

Alan Lovejoy and Sally, (née Nevitt), both grew up in the city and celebrated their blue sapphire anniversary on February 11 with an afternoon tea at home in Copnor.

Alan, 87, spent most of his working life at Portsmouth College of Technology and Portsmouth Polytechnic – now the University of Portsmouth – as an academic registrar.

While Alan worked in education and served in the RAF for his national service, Sally, 86, worked as a telegraphist and then as secretary for many years within the health service supporting speech and language therapists at Battenburg Avenue Clinic and, before retirement, at St Mary’s Hospital, Milton.

The couple married on a snowy day at the Church of the Ascension, Stubbington Avenue, North End, Portsmouth in 1956 before enjoying their honeymoon in Brighton.

After their wedding, Alan and Sally moved to Green Lane, Copnor, and their two children, Paul and Ann, were born there. They have attended St Nicholas Church for more than 60 years.

Although they couldn’t celebrate their anniversary with their family and six grandchildren, Alan and Sally enjoy a quiet day with a cream tea and an anniversary cake.