Wedded bliss (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Wedded bliss

9:26am Thursday 21st June 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

DEVOTED married couples reaffirmed their commitment to each other during a special anniversary mass in Basingstoke.

The service, led by Bishop Crispian Hollis, the Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, took place at St Bede’s Church, in Popley Way, Popley, for the fourth year running.

Among the scores of couples from across Hampshire who attended were those who were celebrating their silver, ruby, golden and diamond wedding anniversaries.

Ron and Rosa Barker, of Dudley Close, Winklebury, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in September. The couple met in London when Rosa, now 70, worked in a nursery and Ron, now 71, came in one day to help put up some Christmas decorations.

Mrs Barker told The Gazette their family of five children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild keeps them active.

Speaking about the celebration mass, she added: “In this day and age, when marriage does not seem to last that long, it’s lovely for everybody to come together and realise that it can work.”

Tony and Barbara King, of Hopton Garth, Lychpit, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in April this year with a holiday in the Maldives.

Mrs King, 52, who has helped with the service for the past three years, said: “I am always amazed to look at the couples who have been married for 50 and 60 years.”

During the service, the couples reaffirmed their commitment to one another.

They then stood alongside each other for the distribution of the Communion and a special marriage blessing from the Bishop.