Joe and Joan Spark of Wilton Court received a visit from the Mayor Wendy Hillary last week to congratulate them on their 60th Wedding Anniversary on 26th June.
The couple came from Byers Green and Howden le Wear and first met at the Fir Tree Community Centre weekly dance where Joe politely asked Joan to join him in a “Fox Trot”.
That was the start of their romance and 18 months later they were maried at St. Mary’s Church, Howden le Wear. Joe was a miner at Brancepeth and Joan worked for clothing manufacturers Ramar in Crook who specialised in quality wear for Marks & Spencers.
Joe left the mine to run two local pubs with his wife, The Welsh Harp Inn and The Vulcan. They were landlords for 8 years before moving to live in Aycliffe, after Joe got a job with Eatons and then Toledo where he worked for 26 years before reaching retirement age.
Joan worked for the Post Office for 27 years, first delivering mail and then working in the office.
They have two daughters, three granddaughters and two great granddaughters which attracts sympathy for Joe as the only male in the family.
Joe, a keen gardener has been a member of the Big Club for 31 years often serving as a voluntary barman. They have always supported their daughter Janet who runs the Durham District Roller Skating Club at Sunnydale Leisure Centre in Shildon. Joan is highly skilled at making costumes for the skaters and her granddaughter Jessica has just won the title of National Senior Figure & Free Champion.
Joe and Joan wanted no fuss, but the Mayor’s visit and the request for Newton News to tell their story were the first of many surprises organised by their loving family to mark this special occasion.
