It's `fifty-love' after tennis chat

From the archive, first published Wednesday 9th Aug 2006.

A LOVING Spa couple who met when making an amateur dramatics production over 50 years ago have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Michael and Jennifer Carter, of Heron Place, Droitwich, met in 1952 at a club in Ealing, London, where Michael used to play tennis, but it was only when they both started work on a play at the club that they started to talk.

The couple explained it was not love at first sight. "I had a girlfriend at the time," said Michael, aged 82.

"I was working behind the scenes, but my wife was in the productions - she was much better than me," added the former transport manager and director of the Medal Box company in Worcester.

Jennifer, aged 72, said: "We bumped into each other a few times and things just kind of went from there really, as they usually do."

So their friendship and relationship blossomed, resulting in marriage four years later on March 24, 1956, at St Mark's Church in Westminster, London.

Jennifer, a former mail beautician in Bond Street only moved to the area in 2000 from Guildford, Surrey, but they have always had close ties with Worcester and the surrounding area.

"We moved around the country a lot with Michael's work, but we had family in Worcester and friends in Droitwich so we used to come up here regularly.

"We have been in contact with the area for most of our married life."

The couple, who have two daughters Susanne and Sally, said the secret to a long and happy marriage was all about having respect for your partner.

"It's give and take, you need a sense of humour, and you need to be friends with one another," said Jennifer.

"You need to forgive and forget," added Michael.

Mr and Mrs Carter had a blessing in the crypt of Worcester Cathedral before hosting a small reception for family and friends in The Guesten, the Cathedral's conference centre.

Michael, who until recently was a cathedral guide welcomer like his wife, said the service was "very nice and emotional."

l GOLDEN FIFTY: Michael and Jennifer Carter - `love at first sight back in 1952' - now they celebrate 50 years of married life. Ref: s

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