A diamond celebration for Watton couple

WHEN, in 1946, Tom Newson from Wood Rising went to Cranworth Youth Club, he had no idea that he would meet Molly Mickleburgh from Shipdham who was there with her friends.

WHEN, in 1946, Tom Newson from Wood Rising went to Cranworth Youth Club, he had no idea that he would meet Molly Mickleburgh from Shipdham who was there with her friends.

However, three years later they were married at All Saints' Church in Shipdham and last week, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

The newly-weds first lived in a cottage on The Green in Wood Rising, part of Wood Farm where Tom had lived with his parents. When his father retired in 1958, Tom took over the farm and they moved into the farmhouse with their four-year old son Tony, staying there until retiring in 1990 to a bungalow in Watton.

While Tom was busy on the farm, Molly continued her work as a book-keeper with several local firms (which she only gave up about two years ago) and was clerk to the parish councils of Cranworth for 23 years and Scoulton for 27.

Outside their working lives, Tom had his shooting and later his golf and snooker while Molly, when not taking day excursions by air to a number of European capitals, exercised her skills at jam and chutney-making and various wonderful offerings such as damson gin, sloe gin and a variety of other similar delights. She still makes these products and, to the great pleasure of her friends, gives most of them away.

Nearly 50 people, including their son Tony and his wife Sue and the two grandchildren, Mark and Emily, and many of the couple's extended family, gathered in the Watton Sports Centre to celebrate the anniversary.