Surprise party for ‘romantics’

More than 50 members of the club gathered at Fox Lodge Cricket Club to enjoy each other’s company and enjoy a three-course meal, but little did John and Rea Anthony know that they had been set up, and their many friends had secretly planned a celebration to mark their 55th wedding anniversary, which just so happened to be on Tuesday of last week, which as romantics know was Valentine’s Day.

Taken aback, but delighted, the couple were called from their seats to have their photographs taken as a huge anniversary cake was produced and they posed for photographs.

The couple were also presented with a small gift and signed card, marking the milestone, and were congratulated on behalf of the luncheon club by Sadie McMorris, who told the gathering that the Anthonys were one of the most romantic couples she knew, and were every bit as romantic now as they had been when they had been stepping out 55 years ago.

The couple were married on Valentine’s Day in 1953, and John, who is the possessor of a rapier sharp sense of humour, quipped that he was “looking forward to my second honeymoon”.

Rae, meanwhile, revealed that they had met at Barry’s Amusements in Portrush, and had tied the knot four years later.

They made their vows before God and man in the Gospel Hall at Eastwall, adjacent to where St Columb’s Hall is, on the Cityside.

Rae had two bridesmaids, her sisters Phylis and Muriel, and John’s bestman was Bill Caldwell, and the couple honeymooned in Edinburgh.

Following their three-course lunch, the couple shared a slice of their anniversary cake with the other members of the club, and the group danced the early afternoon away with music by Derek Hibbert from Garvagh.