Frome couple celebrate 50 ‘golden’ years of marriage

A COUPLE in Frome who met on a blind date celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary this month.

Graham and Rona Wilkin got married on 29th September 1973 at Holy Trinity Church and are now celebrating 50 years since they tied the knot. 

“I was looking for someone to go for our local dinner dance for the company I worked for at the time which was Singers in Frome,” says Graham. “A lady in our office suggested I ring this lady that works in the Barclays Bank that she knew. I spoke to her and we agreed on a date. Her surname was Wilkins and mine was Wilkin so when we got married, she lost her ‘s’. Her father also worked on the railways, as did mine.

“A highlight of our 50 years of marriage is our children being born. They are both in their 40s now. Our son lived in Frome for a while. He got married four years ago and has two daughters, they live in Dilton Marsh. Our daughter lives in Bedfordshire and has a son. 

“Our advice for a long marriage is to keep arguing with each other and pretend to go deaf when you shout at each other! I couldn’t wish for a better wife. She’s been very good to me. She’s let me play cricket and football, she’s been a widow at weekends when I go out and play sport and referee local football matches which I have been doing for 25 years this year. I am nearly 75 and am still running around. 

“To celebrate our anniversary, we are going to London for one night to stay in the Hilton Hotel in Kensington and try and watch a show. We are also having a family party in October. Time flies by. I’d certainly be lost without her.”