GOLDEN COUPLE HAVE NO TIME FOR TELEVISION

A couple who have always been devotees of old time dancing, Alice and Charles Wright, of 30 Zetland Street, Dukinfield, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last Friday.

The couple met in 1915, while they were dancing at the old Co-op hall on Astley Street, Dukinfield, and after marrying in 1926, still go dancing to this day; at the Ashton PSA hall on Saturday, and in St John’s Church schoolroom, Droylsden on a Wednesday.

They were married in Ashton Parish Church, by the Rev S Lane, before moving into their first home in Whitelands Terrace, Ashton. After four years they moved to Silver Springs Farm, Harrop Edge, Mottram, staying there for a further ten years.

Leaving Mottram the couple moved to Oliver Street in Lower Openshaw, where they worked in a grocers shop. But after 11 months in the shop, (it was bombed during the war) the couple moved to Dukinfield in 1941. They have lived at their present address ever since.

Charles (75) has worked as an iron moulder since he left school to his retirement in 1965. He worked at many factories in the area, his longest stay at one place was when he worked at the National Gas and Engine Company, on Wellington Road, Ashton, for seven years.

During the First World War, Mr Wright served in the Army and during the second war as an air raid warden.

Alice (78, nee Prestwich) worked as a twiner-piecer on leaving school. She worked in various local mills including Barker and Ashworths in Crowthorn, but stopped working when she married.

The couple have a married son, Arthur, and a married daughter, Mary, and three grandsons, David, John and Charles.

Mr and Mrs Wright both have the same hobbies; dancing, which is their main pastime, reading, gardening and music. The couple don’t have a television, “As they don’t have enough time to watch it.”

Amongst presents received were a fridge, clock and rug, also more than 80 cards.

A party was held in their honour for 130 guests at the St John Ambulance Headquarters, which is next door to their home on Zetland Street.

Their recipe for a successful marriage is, “When you argue, don’t let anyone hear you, and you can sort it out yourselves.”