A PORTISHEAD couple will be celebrating in style today (Sat) to mark their golden wedding anniversary.

Gwen and Stuart Flower, who live in Avon Way, married in 1962, but it was a wedding that nearly did not happen.

The couple, originally from Yorkshire, were due to marry on November 10, but the wedding had to be cancelled when Stuart, who was serving in the Royal Navy, was rushed to hospital suffering from Vials disease.

After making a full recovery and with a bit of juggling, Gwen and Stuart managed to rearrange their plans and married at St Paul’s Church in Hull on December 8.

The couple moved to Clevedon in 1976 and then to Portishead 10 years later. They have two children, five grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Gwen worked at Safeway in Clevedon and later Portishead’s Co-operative. She is now secretary of the women’s section at the local branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL). Stuart worked as a security manager when he left the armed forces, but is now retired and is a RBL welfare secretary.

The couple held a family party at their home yesterday (Fri).

A blessing will take place at Portishead Methodist Church today, where granddaughter, eight-year-old Abby, will be her grandparents’ golden girl and this evening they are having a meal at Clarence House followed by a 1960s themed disco for family and friends.