Three Diamond anniversaries!

A teenage romance turned into a 60-year partnership for Mick and Chris Kennelly.

The couple, who were born in York, have both recovered from a serious bout of Covid-19 earlier this year.

Mick and Chris, who live in Bramble Dene, Woodthorpe, used to go to The Regent Picture House and then they started dating after a dance at The De Grey Rooms. They were married at York Register Office, and held their wedding reception at The Burns Hotel in York.

Christine, née Quinn, said: “I feel very proud to have reached such a very special anniversary and we are very blessed to still have each other and a loving family around us. When the lockdown is over, we can’t wait to see them all again and we can celebrate properly by having them all round, and also being able to go out for a family meal.”

Michael, 80, worked as a general labourer and one of his jobs was working on the roof of the York Railway Station. He later went on to become a joiner, working for the City of York Council.

Christine, 80, worked in the Rowntrees offices when she left school and she then went on to work in the factory. And then, after having three children, Gary, 59, Lynne, 57, and Karen, 56, she worked at Terrys chocolate factory working in the packing room as a team leader.

They have been very fortunate to have some fabulous holidays, many with friends. On retirement Christine treated the whole family to a holiday in America, with their grandchildren. Christine and Mick now have six grand-children and five great-grand-children including a baby boy who they have not yet met as he was born in lockdown. And they can’t wait to see him.

Daughter Lynne, who lives five doors from her parents, said: “Mum and dad dote on their grandchildren and are, and have always been, very family orientated.

“Mum keeps herself busy and her favourite pastime is doing jigsaws.

“Dad has always kept himself very fit, swimming, walking and loves his gardening. His garden is immaculate, and he has even built a new greenhouse during lockdown. We can’t wait to be able to celebrate properly.”

John and Judy Boyne will celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary today, looking forward to the day they can get together with their family for a big celebration.

The New Earswick couple met when working at Rowntrees after John was moved to work on an Aero machine, and Judy was on the production line, packing the chocolate bars.

They married at St Aelred Catholic Church, in Tang Hall, York.

John, who recently turned 80, said: “We got married on April Fool’s Day and went to Scarborough for a week for our honeymoon. I remember meeting friends there and they took us to a pub for a meal. It actually snowed that day!”

John spent a full 40 years working for the York-based company and his job eventually took him all over the world.

“I worked my way up from charge hand to production assistant in KitKat and then I moved to PDC, research and development. I spent my last 12 years going around the world putting KitKat plants in.”

John travelled all of Europe (except Russia), India, China, Malaysia, Australia, Canada and South Africa helping install the plants.

Judy retired early at the age of 56 and the York couple started to spend more time at the holiday caravan in Barmston, near Bridlington.

John recalled: “We spent 10 happy years in the caravan and during that time decided to sell our home in New Earswick and buy a luxury home on the coast. But we then decided to move back to the village about eight years ago.”

John is a very keen course angler although he admits his match days may be over, so he can just concentrate on pleasure fishing.

Judy used to enjoy gardening and knitting but ill-health has curtailed her interests of late.

And the secret of a long marriages?

“We have our ups and downs as everybody else does,” said John, “but being the best of friends does help.

“Judy does say that she could have done three life sentences for murder in the time we’ve been together!”

John and Judy, who have one daughter Tracy, have eight grand-children and four great-grandchildren and the day when Covid restrictions are relaxed so they can all get together again, can’t come soon enough.

John and Jean Hawthorne were married 60 years ago today in Bishopthorpe. The pair have lived in Copmanthorpe for almost all of their marriage - 58 years in total.

Jean, who refers to her husband as her “old fool,” said: “We’re going to have a nice meal at home and, hopefully, have a big party with our family when all this is all over.”

John worked as a welder for British Railway for most of his career. Meanwhile, Jean worked at the Terry’s factory in the city.

Jayne Hawthorne, one of their daughters, said: “They have survived so much together. We are so proud of them, they’re amazing.”