Diamond couple’s celebration put on ice once again
DIAMOND couple will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary at home on St George’s Day this Thursday after the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to their plans for a celebratory holiday.
Fred and Loretta Bailey, both 81, had booked a holiday to Cyprus this month - but the imposition of strict lockdown measures across much of Europe to stop the spread of the virus meant that this has now been cancelled.
In an unfortunate coincidence, it isn’t the first time that the couple have had an anniversary trip cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
“It’s like a replica for our golden anniversary when we were going to take a cruise on the Suez Canal. And that’s when the volcano erupted and all the planes were cancelled,” Fred said, referring to the Icelandic volcanic eruption that caused mass disruption to air travel in April 2010.
However, the couple are keeping upbeat and reflecting on their happy memories from over six decades together, despite the fact none of their family members will be able to visit them to mark the anniversary due to social distancing measures.
Fred, of Oakley Close, Heywood, said: “We’ve had a happy life together and we’re still together after 60 years, which I think is pretty good these days.”
The couple met as 17-year-olds in a Manchester youth club in 1957 and dated for a year before Fred was sent to Cold War-era Berlin to complete National Service in 1958.
The couple have long shared a love for ballroom dancing and (under prelockdown conditions) still enjoy going out dancing with friends.
While Fred was serving abroad they wrote letters nearly every day. “Mind, it was free then,” Fred added.
Responding to a suggestion that free military postage meant the couple had no reason not to write every day, Fred drily remarked: “That’s what she said.”
Fred was discharged from the army in December of 1959 and the couple married at St John’s Catholic Church, Chorlton-cum-Hardy on St George’s Day 1960.
They bought their first house in Chorlton Green and moved to Heywood in 1971, and had two daughters, Janet, who lives in Scotland with her husband John, and Elaine.
Fred had a 34-year career in business and Loretta ran her own coffee shop and florists before they retired 20 years ago.
Asked for their tips for a long-lasting marriage, Fred said: “I think it’s just about a bit of give and take.
“We’re quite compatible really.
“My wife’s just told me, I take and she gives!”
Daughter Janet and her husband John, who live in Scotland, said: “Wishing you both a great day and congratulations on reaching this milestone of 60 years of marriage together, we send you all our love and best wishes on this, your very special day.
“We hope that you have many more years of happiness together.”