Golden couple of local politics toast 50 years
Frank and Pat Warby are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary
HE had arranged to meet two girls, just 30 minutes apart – and so when they turned up together, Frank Warby made a beeline for the bar.
The golden couple of local politics Frank and Pat Warby celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow.
They met in 1960 when Frank, who was serving with the Royal Anglian Regiment, visited the Hatter Street cinema where Pat was an usherette.
He asked her and another Pat out for a date not realising they were best friends.
“I was young free and single,” said Frank.
“We thought we’d teach him a lesson,” said Pat.
The other woman, Pat Bull nee Rackham, was a bridesmaid at their wedding at St Edmunsbury Cathedral.
The couple who are Conservative councillors, held their reception at the Labour Club. While there there was a power cut and everyone went home.
The Warbys returned the next morning to find drunks had smashed up the building, and stolen their wedding presents.
“The only present we had left was a dustpan and brush from Woolies,” said Frank.
The couple had five children but lost one of their daughters Frances aged 19 after she had an allergic reaction to anaesthetic.
They have 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren with a fourth on the way.
They have been involved in numerous community projects, including the Moreton Hall Youth Club, while Frank was a Scout leader and both are involved in helping take disabled children on holiday.
Frank worked for 20 years selling life insurance, winning salesman of the year for 10 years running, while Pat was a volunteer for the Red Cross for 30 years and has been employed by them for 11 years.
She said the secret to a marriage was companionship and having your own views and interests.
“I’m looking forward to the next 50 years,” said Frank.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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