THIRTY years ago, Tim and Jenny Hilborne became one of the first couples living outside the Island to be allowed to marry in Jersey.
This week, the couple returned to Jersey to celebrate their pearl wedding anniversary.
The Hilbornes had visited Jersey three times and fell in love with the Island. Shortly after getting engaged, the pair decided it was the perfect place to tie the knot.
Fortunately, following enquiries made by Mr Hilborne, they discovered that a change in the marital laws in 1996 allowed non-Jersey couples to get married in the Island and so, the couple packed their bags and finest attire, to travel from their hometown in Surrey.
Mr Hilborne had been divorced, and his now-wife was a widow. Between them, they had five children from their earlier relationships before having a son together.
Family issues made it difficult to marry at home, so the couple “didn’t tell anyone and instead flew to Jersey to become newlyweds”.
Mr Hilborne said: “I arranged by post to set a date which, by a strange coincidence, was the same date as my wife’s late marriage. I had no idea of that at the time.”
They booked a B&B in St Helier and, upon arrival, had many important tasks pre-marriage.
They bought a ring for the soon-to-be Mrs Hilborne from a jeweller near Parade Gardens and also picked up a few bouquets of posies for the marriage at the Registrar’s Office.
In the frenzy of last-minute preparations, the couple realised they had no witness, as “they didn’t give it a thought in the rush” which was needed for the marriage to proceed.
Mr and Mrs Hilborne shared that “they will never forget the kindness of Frank and Pat Williams, who ran the hotel we were staying at and offered to be the witnesses for our marriage”.
“They were a lovely couple, who have sadly passed on now, but we will always be indebted to them for taking us to the registry office, as well as out for dinner to a lovely restaurant opposite after the ceremony.”
The wedding took place in the old Registrar’s Office in the Royal Square on 20 August 1996, with the couple quick to remember the kindness of the Jersey community for allowing their matrimony.
Mr Hilborne added: “I couldn’t fault it. We met so many kind people, Frank and Pat Williams, our witnesses, and the lovely Registrar woman, Monique. We love returning to Jersey – it’s such a special place to us.”
Over their 30 years of happy marriage, the couple has returned to Jersey on numerous occasions and have been able to visit the Registrar the last few times to see their marriage recorded in the Registrar book.
Mr and Mrs Hilborne said: “We really like Gorey; we have done tours all around the Island and even to Corbière.
“It’s a shame because over the years a lot of the charm has gone, lots of local shops and businesses have disappeared from shopfronts.”
The couple shared that they “religiously buy Jersey Royals” when visiting the Island and added that, on this visit, they were hoping to find some pearl earrings for Mrs Hilborne to mark their 30 years.
“Everyone we meet here in Jersey is so nice, we really appreciated it over the years. We will forever be thankful towards Jersey for what it has done for us.”
