Loving Wigan couple mark 70 years of marriage

Elsie and Bill Anderton, from Aspull, have marked their platinum anniversary
Elsie and Bill Anderton have celebrated 70 years of matrimonyElsie and Bill Anderton have celebrated 70 years of matrimony
Elsie and Bill Anderton have celebrated 70 years of matrimony

A devoted couple have celebrated a milestone wedding anniversary.

Elsie and Bill Anderton, of Belmont Drive, Aspull, marked their platinum anniversary after enjoying 70 years of matrimony recently.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The secret to their long and happy marriage, they say, is “being similar people and having a lot in common”.

Mrs Anderton, 93, was born in Aspull, and Mr Anderton, 92, in Ince.

After meeting at St Elizabeth’s Dances, the couple’s romance blossomed and they wed at St Elizabeth’s Church in Aspull on March 31, 1951.

As far as work was concerned, Elsie was employed by the Coops sewing factory in Dorning Street, Wigan, and she was also a private tailor at businesses in Crompton Street and King Street for a time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And Bill worked at the National Coal Board for many years, as well as working at Walker’s in Frog Lane.

The couple settled at their current home in Belmont Drive 57 years ago and have one son, David Anderton, and no grandchildren.

Describing her life with Bill and their love of travelling, Elsie, a keen member of the church, told the Wigan Observer: “I always worked as a private tailor.

“Bill was on the National Coal Board until they got made redundant and he did a lot of jobs involving machinery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We also did a lot of travelling as a couple and have been all over the world.

“We must have been to 40 different places such as the Carribean, Malta, Gibraltar and Cyprus, with many of these being in the last ten years.

“I’ve always been intersted in entertaining people and having get-togethers with friends. Bill loves the garden and painting and drawing.”

Elsie these days has to dedicate much of her time looking after Bill, as he had to lose a leg due to a blood clot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “Bill can’t do anything now and had his right leg removed. That was four years ago and I’m his carer but we’re otherwise in good health.

“We are similar people and have a lot in common and I think that’s why we’ve been married so long.”

To celebrate the landmark, Elsie said the couple had a glass of wine and were given an anniversary cake by neighbour Joan Mercer.

Elsie added: “We can’t do a lot at the moment in lockdown but we’ll make the most of it and we’d like to thank Joan for the lovely cake.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers ...

Related topics: