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Couple 'sort of clicked a bit'

Herbert couple Alan and Edna Ross celebrated six decades of marriage yesterday. Photo by Sally Rae.
Herbert couple Alan and Edna Ross celebrated six decades of marriage yesterday. Photo by Sally Rae.
Yesterday may have dawned fine and sunny in North Otago but it was a different story 60 years ago, as Alan and Edna Ross well remember.

The couple, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary yesterday, woke to sleety rain and a "horrible" wind on their wedding day, but the weather improved later in the day.

They were at school together at Waianakarua but romance did not blossom until Mr Ross returned from World War 2.

"We sort of clicked a bit then," Mrs Ross (nee Rawcliffe) recalled.

They married at the Hampden Presbyterian Church on January 15, 1949, and the reception was held in a marquee at the bride's home.

She was fortunate she had been working for a dressmaker in Christchurch well known for bridal wear - the dressmaker made her dress.

Not wanting to stay in stuffy hotels, the couple went camping on their honeymoon.

They started off at Kelceys Bush near Waimate, where they were woken at 6am by a bugle being blown at a scout camp.

They settled at Waianakarua, on a farm originally owned by Mr Ross's grandparents, and had three children - Wayne, Peter and Margaret.

They have five grandchildren and three great-grand-children.

Both were keen on sport, playing tennis, table tennis and badminton, and they have passed that love of sport on to their family.

Later on, they also took up ballroom dancing.

Asked to divulge the secret of a long marriage, Mr Ross (86) said they had been very fortunate with their health and both had a strong Christian faith.

Mrs Ross celebrated her 85th birthday on Wednesday.

"It's not good when it comes to celebrations. It all comes at once," she laughed.

The couple, who retired to Herbert, will celebrate their wedding anniversary with a family barbecue tomorrow.

 

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