Champagne and scones await couples celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubliee.
By Andy Baber, Natasha Adkins & Gemma Ellis
Champagne and scones await couples celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Sutton Register Office and the council will mark the momentous occasion by hosting a tea party for couples who were married in the borough in 1952.
Couples are invited on May 27 from 3-5pm where they can meet others entering their seventh decade of marriage.
The party will be held at one of the best-preserved Edwardian houses in the borough, Russettings, the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of reminiscing.
Superintendent Registrar Virginia Morris, who came up with the idea, said it will be nice to celebrate the special achievement.
She said: “Sutton is a borough that really cares about its people, so we decided that we would like to do something as a mark of respect for those who have been married for so long.
“It is a really big occasion and the perfect opportunity to commemorate a diamond wedding anniversary.”
She added the registry office does not know of another borough honouring longstanding couples in this way.
Councillor Graham Tope, Executive Member for Community, Safety, Leisure and Libraries, said: “With the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Games, summer 2012 is a once in a lifetime chance for the community to come together.
“We’re planning lots of fun events to help people celebrate with their friends and neighbours, and the champagne tea will be a lovely afternoon for couples about to reach their Diamond Jubilee.”
The London Borough of Sutton was not formed until 1965, so any records held from 1952 will only be for church weddings held in the borough.
However the celebration is also open to those who lived in Sutton but were married in a registry office outside the borough.
Couples have until April 30 to register for an invite but will need to provide details of their wedding ceremony when booking.
To book a place, contact Lynda Hudson on 02087706790.
