Sixty year love story for musical Blidworth couple

John and Jacqueline Gilding, both 81, of Park Avenue, marked their diamond wedding recently.

The couple, who both play the piano, and love music, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and carers on September 17.

They were married in 1960 at the former Blidworth Pentecostal Church where they had previously met. They later honeymooned in Great Yarmouth.

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John, who was a miner, is well known in the area as a pianist and regularly performed at concerts. He also worked as a court usher and was one of the longest serving members of the Mansfield Choral Society. Jacqueline worked as a machinist and was later a housewife.

The lifelong residents of Blidworth went onto have two daughters and now have five grandchildren.

The couple enjoyed music, particularly opera, and would often travel to concerts. They were also keen on rambling and wildlife.

Their daughter Melanie Perkins said: “After all these years they are still all loved up, they still hold hands, and they are still best friends, it really has been a 60 years long love story. They have had a shared a love of music over the years.

"One of their favourite singers was Pavarotti who they saw at Hyde Park, when Princess Diana was there, which was a highlight for them. Another highlight has been receiving a Diamond Wedding card and congratulations from the Queen.”

The couple enjoyed their special day with cake and champagne with their care team, which includes Melanie, grandsons Luke and Joshua.

“They really had a lovely day,” Melanie added.

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