North Bersted couple celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary

The marvelous marital milestone is being commemorated by Ray and Margaret Blunden, who are celebrating their 7Oth wedding anniversary on December 1.
Platinum wedding anniversary - Ray and Margret Blunden celebrate their 70th wedding anniversaryPlatinum wedding anniversary - Ray and Margret Blunden celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary
Platinum wedding anniversary - Ray and Margret Blunden celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary

The North Bersted couple were married on December 1, 1951, at Westhampnett Parish Church and said they believe the key to a long and happy marriage was 'Moderation in all things'.

The feat is so remarkable, in fact, that when Prince Phillip and the HRH the Queen celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2017, it was estimated that they were quite literally one in a million for reaching that marital milestone.

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Mr and Mrs Blunden first met each other in Goodwood Park in 1949. Margaret, who worked at the Goodwood hotel (then the Waterbeach hotel), was walking with a child of her employers, and as the two approached the cricket pitch, Ray came up and asked her the time. She told him: 'There's a clock over there' and their time together had begun.

The 91 year-olds have lived in North Bersted for 45 years having first lived together in Halnaker. They then bought their first property in Chichester before moving to Tangmere.

Ray, who used to work on a farm in Halnaker, has had an allotment for over 40 years where he grows a variety of vegetables and soft fruit, and has stated his pride for all that he grows.

Margaret's favourite pastime is baking and particularly enjoys baking for charity, this started when a friend's husband went for respite care in an RAF Benevolent Home in Storrington. She has also for a number of years baked cakes, fruit pies and jams to be sold for a variety of charities on open days at the nearby Retirement Complex.

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