Long walk home was the best move for anniversary couple

He may have had to face a long walk back but that one chivalrous deed paved the way to 65 years of marriage and on Friday the couple celebrated their blue sapphire wedding anniversary.

Mr Lawrence (85) approached the then Miss Trédan, who was with a group of her girlfriends, outside the cinema and when her pals quickly dispersed he offered to escort her back home on the bus.

Love quickly blossomed and the couple married at the Town Church on 15 September 1952 at 6.30 am before catching the mail boat to Southampton for their honeymoon.

‘We wanted to get married as soon as possible’ said Mrs Lawrence.

On returning, they lived in Charing Cross for two years before moving into their home off Mont Cochon, where they still live today.

‘We didn’t have two pennies to rub together when we got married,’ Mrs Lawrence (85) said.

After excelling during his training in navigation school, Mr Lawrence went on to pursue a career as a seaman – coming up ‘through the decks’ to the rank of 2nd Captain – until 1968 when he decided to become a pilot for the next 20 years to be closer to home. His achievements and success were recognised when he became the first resident of the Channel Islands to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation in 2002.

Meanwhile, Mrs Lawrence developed her hobby of tending to 50 beehives into a thriving business of 150 hives – producing two to three tonnes of honey a year – whilst raising her children. She achieved notable success at the National Honey Show in London and in 1982 came second in the world for her honey.

When asked what the secret of a happy marriage was, Mr Lawrence quipped: ‘Two words: “Yes, dear!’’’

Both Mr and Mrs Lawrence agreed that their appreciation of the other has helped to keep their marriage strong, especially during the years when Mr Lawrence would be away at sea for up to eight weeks at a time.

‘Everytime I came home it was like another honeymoon – and then another baby would come along,’ Mr Lawrence said.

When referring to their five children, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Mr Lawrence said: ‘We started something big and we both feel very lucky.’

Four of their children live in Jersey while one son has moved to New Zealand where he owns a carpentry business.

The couple jokingly said that tonight they would splash some of their children’s inheritance by throwing a big party for their friends and family in celebration of 65 very happy years together.

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