Ken and June Stewart of Bluebell Meadows celebrated their 60 year marriage on Thursday 20th March and received a visit from the Mayor Barbara Clare complete with bouquet and greetings on behalf of the Town Council.
The couple were born in the Hartlepool area where Ken served his apprenticeship as a Marine Engineer. June and he met through a friend of Ken’s who invited them to his home to meet each other. Ken literally swept her off her feet with their first date as a passenger in a light aircraft. It must have thrilled June as they were married 2 years later!
Ken served in the Merchant Navy visiting exotic ports in India, Sri Lanka, USA and Egypt passing through the Suez Canal. He left after his daughter failed to recognise him when he came home on leave, deciding he would be happier with his family, Ken moved with them to start a new life in Newton Aycliffe in 1962 when Ken came to work as a Production Engineer for GEC, followed as Development Engineer for Ozalid and a Training Officer for Abex.
June enjoys knitting and crossword puzzles while Ken continues his lifetime hobby of painting and astronomy. In his earlier days he liked to sail at Ullswater, but gave that up when there was no family around to help him get the boat into the water.
The couple have two daughters six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. They all met for a family celebration with a party at daughter Ann’s home in West Auckland.
Diamond couple with the card from the Queen. Town Mayor Barbara Clare shown with daughter Ann and her husband.
