Anna Watkins
On 1 September 1979, mum attended the wedding of Anna Watkins, the daughter of Dr David Watkins, for whom mum worked. Mum worked part-time for him from 1977 to 1980 and full-time from 1980 to 1991, see Chapter 121.
Pleased to Be Invited
Mum was pleased, and possibly surprised, when her friend and colleague Janet Bennett told her, in February 1979, that the Watkins would be inviting her. Sure enough, the invitation arrived in July. A few days later, mum went into the city with the nursing sister from the practice and bought some Royal Doulton pottery as a wedding present. Mum always referred to this nursing sister as “sister”. I wonder if this might have been Janet Hardingham as she was a nurse at that practice during the time mum worked there.
Christchurch
The service took place at Christchurch with the reception at the Watkinses home at 100 Newmarket Road. Christchurch is an Anglican church located between Mile End Road and Christchurch Road. My memories of this church are of attending Scout parades here in the early seventies, see Chapter 106.
Marriage Records
From marriage records, it seems that Anna married Howard N Gill. Shortly, after getting married, they may have moved to Germany as Dr Watkins visited Anna in Berlin in December 1979.
Margaret Andrews
In March 1978, mum attended Margaret Andrews’ wedding. Margaret Andrews had worked for Dr Watkins and Dr Brittain in the same surgery where mum worked. However, she left there in March 1978 which coincided with when she got married. Based on online records, I think she married Kenneth S Kerrison.
Norwich Registry Office
The wedding was at the City Hall Registry Office. Registry Offices in Norwich are currently at County Hall and in Norwich Castle. However, they have only been in these locations since 2016, Before that, the Registry Office had, since 1991, been at Churchman House in St Giles Street. Prior to that, it was at City Hall.
Tricia Went to Help the Organist at a Roman Catholic Church
In February 1976, Tricia went to a wedding at a Roman Catholic church. She went to turn pages for Ralph Cupper, who was the organist and choir master at St Peter’s Park Lane Methodist Church for a short time in 1976. I am not sure whose wedding this was!
I Went to a Wedding Reception in Hempnall
Somewhat similarly, in July 1977, I went to a wedding reception in Hempnall. I don’t know whose wedding it was and I am not convinced I knew then!! I regret to say that I described it as “rather boring”!
Other Weddings
In addition, mum heard about some other weddings although, as far as I know, she did not attend any of them.
Avril
In October 1975, Avril told mum that she was engaged and getting married in December. Avril was someone who mum knew through St Peter’s Guild, see Chapter 124, which she attended between at least January and November 1975. In November 1975, mum gave Avril a book of Norwich as a wedding present. I wonder if this implies she was either not from Norwich or would be moving away from Norwich following her wedding. As far as I can see, mum did not mention Avril’s surname in her diaries. However, from marriage records, I wonder if she was Avril M Butler which would mean she married Edward L Povey. However, I do not know for sure that this was them. This does involve assuming they got married in Norwich which may well not be the case!
Hilary
The next year, in January 1976, Hilary, who mum knew through Young Wives, see Chapter 124, talked about getting married in March or April. However, I don’t know if this happened or what her surname was.
Cecil
In January 1978, mum had a letter from Joyce Boxall saying that Cecil was getting married again in a few days. I think mum knew Cecil from Methodist Guild Holidays. They had grown close and corresponded relatively regularly, see Chapter 114. I am not sure why Cecil did not tell mum directly.
Malcolm Carter
In December 1979, mum received a letter from her friend and confidant, Malcolm Carter, saying he was getting married again.
Mum Found Weddings Difficult
I think mum found weddings and other people getting married difficult. She referred to being upset or shocked and to feelings of envy, depression and loneliness in relation to some of these.
Angus and Tricia Got Engaged
While no close family members got married in the late seventies, my older sister Tricia did get engaged to Angus Carrick in March 1979. They first asked mum if they could telling her that they would probably wait another year until they got married. At the end of that month, mum noted that the engagement was announced in the Eastern Evening News. In April, when Tricia came, mum noted that she had a nice ring and it had cost her £120. In June 1979, mum and Tricia went to look at material and patterns for wedding dresses.
Wedding Anniversaries
During this period, a number of people celebrated wedding anniversaries.
Grandma and Grandad
In March 1975, grandma and grandad celebrated having been married for 45 years.
John and Heather Ferguson
In July 1979, at a meeting of St Peter’s Guild, see Chapter 124, at the Cookes, mum noted that her friends John and Heather Ferguson celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Last year, in 2024, they celebrated 70 years of marriage! This merited a report in the local paper.
Tabitha Elworthy
The only birth mum recorded in this period was to Ken and Heather Elworthy. He was one of the Ministers at St Peter’s Park Lane Methodist Church at that time, see Chapter 124. In February 1976, mum noted that the Elworthys were especting a baby in August. On 21 August 1976, Ken Elworthy came round to see mum to tell her that Heather had had the baby, a girl Tabitha who weighed 8lb 6oz, about 3.8kg.