A Wimblington couple who met through a shared love of music celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at the weekend.
Joan and Philip Glover, of Doddington Road for the last 30 years, marked the occasion with a special church service, lunch at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel with their two children and an open house with tea and cake for friends in the afternoon.
“Philip and I met through music when I was a student,” Joan, 83, said.
“He was a beautiful singer. He still has a lovely classical voice.”
The pair married on Easter Monday, April 2 1956 in Wimblington Church.
“We don’t hold a lot of conversation, but we don’t have any rows. We’ve had our ups and downs but we’ve always helped and gotten each other through it.”
Just two months ago Philip, 84, was taken into hospital for an operation so Joan helped dress and get him out of bed throughout that time.
“We share a lot of special interests,” she said as to why their marriage has lasted so long.
“Philip enjoys a large garden, being on the computer and reading the daily newspaper, whilst I like reading books, solving puzzles and knitting.”
“We were both members of the university choir and after graduating Philip taught biology at Winsford Grammar School, Cheshire and I mathematics at Chester City High School.”
Philip has had spells as church warden in Ockbrook, Doddington and Wimblington, whilst Joan was Ely Diocese’s vice-president for six years.
Joan was born in Brickmaker’s Arms Lane, Doddington and moved in to Holly House, Wimblington at the age of four.
She then attended Doddington School before being awarded a scholarship for March High School in 1943 – all whilst studying piano and organ.
“My headmaster taught me to play the organ,” she said.
Since 1984 Joan joined the Wakeland Singers, acting as a conductor for 11 years; Philip also helped as a soloist on occasions.
“I said I would do it for three months, but we kept on for 11 years. We held our final concerts in Trinty Church and Wimblington Church, finishing off on a high.”
The couple have two children, Paul, a lecturer at Nottingham University and Andrew, who runs a computer-based broadband business in Cambridge.
They also have two grandchildren to Paul, Graham and Liz.
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