The Mayor, Councillor John Clark and his Consort Bernadette Moore presented a bouquet of flowers and a commemorative card to Billy and Pat Gibson on their 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 5th.
Billy, formerly of Coundon Grange, and Pat, originally from Bishop Auckland have lived on the town since 1971, when they first moved to Silverdale Place for a short time then to Stephenson Way for many years with their daughter, Sharna and son, Simon.
The couple first met at Bishop Auckland Town Hall Dance on New Year’s Day 1966, apparently Billy was the only one of the lads who could still stand up and dance at the same time.
It was a momentous year and one Billy always remembered as he never got to see the World Cup Final except through the Rediffusion shop window as he was going to meet Pat off the number 4 bus.
Pat was a dressmaker at Gillyflowers and latterly, a dinner lady at St. Joseph’s Primary School for many years. Billy was an apprentice moulder and engraver at Bonds, St. Helens, West Auckland and afterwards worked at Torringtons, Darlington for over 25 years.
They celebrated their anniversary with their family, Sharna, Martin, Simon and Katie, followed by a holiday abroad as they couldn’t afford a honeymoon when they got married.
They both love gardening and socialising and are enjoying their well-earned retirement.
Their tip for a long and happy marriage? Give and take and show respect for each other and Billy quietly suggested to ‘just say yes!’
