Happy couple revisit church where they got married 60 years ago

Mick and Shirley Wicks visited St Martin’s Church, in Stamford, on Monday, accompanied by family members.

The couple were welcomed by Father Gavin Cooper who presented them with a bouquet and gave them a tour of the historic building.

Mick, 81, met Shirley, 80, at a dance at the Cecil Club, in Wittering. They shared a love of playing the piano and listening to pop music and were married on July 21, 1956.

They lived in Burghley Lane, Stamford, until 1961 when they moved to Werrington, Peterborough.

Mick, who was a blacksmith for Baker Perkins and later a draughtsman for Perkins Engines, said the past six decades had flown by.

He said: “I can’t believe it’s 60 years. The time really has gone so quickly.

“I remember our wedding day very well. My main concern was my best man, because he was really nervous.

“We had a lot of family and friends in church for the wedding. The building hasn’t changed a bit.

“Our reception was at the Stamford Hotel in St Mary’s Hill.

“We weren’t hanging around – our wedding was at 2pm and by 5pm we were on the train heading to London for our honeymoon.”

Shirley, who was working as a clerical assistant when she met Mick, added: “I remember the day very well and it’s lovely to be here again today so many years later.”

The couple were married by vicar KP Stewart who was in charge of St Martin’s in the ’50s.

Present day priest Father Gavin Cooper, who has been in post for two years, said he was happy to welcome Mick and Shirley back to the church.

He said: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to see them come back to the church where they we married all those years ago.

“Reaching a diamond anniversary is a great achievement.”

Marriage records from the church are kept off-site but a copy of the paperwork from Mick and Shirley’s big day was found.

The couple, who have two adult children and five grandchildren, were keen caravanners during their younger years and visited sites all 
over the country and also in France.

They have been attending dance events at the Parkway Club in Peterborough for years.

To mark their 60th anniversary, a party was held at the Bull Hotel, in Peterborough, at the weekend and was attended by more than 80 guests.

There was live music and plenty of dancing.