Anne and Peter Molyneux’s relationship began at the Rink Ballroom in Hartlepool in 1961. In those days this was the big night out in the week with youth from surrounding mining villages attending – the girls went to the dance, the boys went around the local pubs and came in for the last dance.
The Barn Dance was ‘pick up’ time and Anne and Peter danced together and travelled back to Wingate on the late bus. This was the beginning of their courtship which lasted for three and a half years before they married in 1965.
They were married on 24th July, 1965, at Ss. Peter & Paul R.C. Church in Hutton Henry near Castle Eden. They were brought up in the same street in Station Town, attended the same primary school, and the same church. Their paths went different ways at 11 years of age, when Peter passed the scholarship and went on to attend Grammar School in Sunderland. Anne left School in Wingate at the age of 15 to start a secretarial course at the Technical College in Billingham.
In 1959 when Anne was 17 she secured a job with Peterlee Development Corporation as a Shorthand/Typist. She worked there for 6 years until the couple married and settled in Aycliffe. Anne was transferred to Aycliffe Development Corporation and, apart from a break raising two children, worked there until the dissolution of the new towns in 1988.
Anne worked for a Japanese company as the MD’s Secretary/PA until she retired in 2003. In 2004 Anne was employed as an administrator by the Aycliffe Occupational Health Service and stayed there until its closure in 2012. Over the years Anne has used her secretarial skills servicing various committees. Currently, she is Secretary of St. Mary’s & Joseph’s Credit Union and also Secretary of Churches Together in Great Aycliffe.
Peter was 15 when he left Grammar School and followed his two brothers to work down south. At the age of 18 and working in Eastbourne he was called up for National Service served in Aden. Peter was on active service there for most of the two years. He spent a short time in Germany before returning to the UK and his native north east. His family had moved to Newton Aycliffe with Peter working at various factories on the industrial estate, Block & Anderson, Colstons, Eaton Axles, etc. His last job was in the moulding shop at Electrolux, before retirement.
Although Anne and Peter have different personalities, they enjoy many interests together including foreign holidays in exotic places, but now only want a 2 hour flight to Spain or Majorca.
Peter is an avid reader and never goes anywhere without a newspaper or book. He has swum every morning Monday-Friday for over 20 years at Hallgarth. Peter is a lifelong supporter of Sunderland AFC and a season ticket holder.
Their grandson, Luke, plays for Sunderland Under 18’s and it was a like a dream come true when Anne and Peter saw Luke come out at the Stadium of Light to play in Youth Cup games last season.
They both like watching a good play or film on television – Anne loves Coronation Street and never misses an episode even when on holiday.
Anne and Peter went to Majorca for 2 weeks holiday on 18th July and on Friday 24th July (their actual anniversary date) they were surprised in the dining room where the waitress had decorated their table with balloons and banners and provided them with a bottle of champagne with compliments of the hotel.
Whilst on holiday, Anne and Peter were totally unaware their daughter, Jane, was planning a surprise family get-together back home to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary at the Oakleaf Sports Complex on Saturday 8th August. The Mayor came along and presented them with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and congratulated them on their anniversary.
Family means everything to Anne and Peter – they have two children and three grandchildren: Jane and Neil are parents to Luke aged 17; Philip and Ashleigh are parents to Dougie aged 4 and Lena aged 6 months.
