The Mayor Val Raw and her Deputy Barbara Clare visted former Aycliffe Village Shop owners, Jane and Eddie Porritt, to join in celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on 18th August.
The couple who now live in the Old Vicarage, bought the shop in 1989 and retired from the business due to illness some years ago.
The shop was leased out for a while, but eventually closed to the disppointment of customers. The premises will soon be used for domestic purposes.
Eddie and Jane first met in a ballroom in Southsea where Jane’s parents had moved to from South Wales. Eddie was a Petty officer in the Fleet Air Arm and served on HMS Hermes.
He was born in Aycliffe Village and joined as a Boy Sailor at 16 years old. Before then he trained as an electrician and also worked for the Village Co-op Store on the High Street.
Jane was a shorthand typist working for British Rail and was fortunate to be transferred wherever Eddie was stationed. Before they were married, at St. Andrew’s Church, she was given a job in Darlington.
Eddie left the Navy after 13 years taking a job with Uponor Pipe Manaufacturers at Aycliffe. He suffered a stroke 10 years ago just before the couple’s Ruby Anniversary.
Bad fortune struck again just before this anniversary when Eddie had a severe heart attack while travelling in a car. He owes his life to The Great North Air Ambulance who got him to James Cook Hospital in time to save him. He had a heart by-pass operation and is recovering well.
The family Anniversary Celebration is in September and the couple have requested no presents, but donations can be made, if desired, to the Air Ambulance.
Eddie and Jane have two sons and three grandchildren – all living quite close to each other. Eddie enjoys playing the Electric Organ and both have a keen interest in gardening.
