Forty-eight years ago today - at All Saints' Church, Newmarket, and afterwards at the Bedford Lodge

The 21st of April is the Queen's birthday and, on BBC Radio 4, before the news at 7 a.m., there is played the National Anthem. For a good rendition of it on YouTube go to -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8KveQdaNmA&feature=watch_response_rev

The National Anthem being played early in the morning ensures that I never forget the wedding anniversary of Sue and I, which is also on the 21st of April.

We were married on the 21st of April, 1962, and today, the 21st of April, 2010, is therefore our 48th anniversary. We have lasted surprisingly well and Sue, for one, deserves a long-service medal.

Here is a transcribed extract from Cambridge Independent Press of the 27th of April, 1962:

'Farmer Married At Newmarket

A farmer at Chalk Farm, Bottisham, Mr Geoffrey Ladbrooke Woollard, was married to Miss Susan Margaret Day, daughter of Mr and Mrs F.T. Day, of 'Sunnymead', Dullingham Road, Newmarket, at All Saints' Church, Newmarket, on Saturday. The bridegroom is the son of Mr and Mrs L.W.J. Woollard, of 'South Lodge', Ickleton. The Vicar of All Saints', Canon R. Tydeman, and the Rev. J.B. Hall, of Ickleton, officiated at the service, during which the choir led the singing of the hymns 'Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven' and 'Lead us, Heavenly Father'. The organist was Miss C. Winter. Given away by her father, the bride wore a full-length gown of white figured satin brocade with train and her short shoulder-length veil was held in place by a pearl and crystal tiara. She carried a bouquet of pink roses, cream and white freesias and lilies of the valley. Miss Day was attended by her sister, Sarah, and Miss Susan Woollard, the bridegroom's sister. They wore normal length dresses of misty blue grosgrain, 'V' shaped at the back with three-quarter length sleeves. They also wore headdresses of pink roses, matching blue satin shoes and pearl earrings (gifts from the 'groom) and they carried bouquets of pink freesias and roses. The best man was Mr Bruce Brown, a friend of the bridegroom and the ushers were Mr Peter Day (bride's brother), Mr David Weir and Mr George Weir (cousins of the bridegroom) and Mr Tim Charrington (a friend of the bridegroom). After a reception at the Bedford Lodge Hotel, Newmarket, the couple left for a honeymoon at an undisclosed destination, the bride travelling in a blue silk dress with matching coat, yellow petal hat and beige accessories. They will make their home at Chalk Farm, Bottisham.'

We put notices in The Times and The Daily Telegraph regarding our Sapphire anniversary three years ago, as follows:

'Sapphire Wedding

Woollard: Day. On 21st April, 1962, at All Saints' Church, Newmarket, by the Revd. Canon Richard Tydeman, Geoffrey Ladbrooke Woollard to Susan Margaret Day. Now near Upware, Cambridgeshire.'

Sue said yesterday afternoon as we were returning from canvassing at Haddenham that she never thought in 1962 that we would be electioneering in 2010 with me a serious contender for the new House of Commons and representing - and I repeat, representing - South East Cambridgeshire, but we are and I am.

Here we are, as we were on Friday last.

Sue seems to have stood the pace and the test of time excellently and I still have some hair, though it is now nearly white.