Kathy and Di, tenants at our independent living scheme Brakendon Close, had the most wonderful day at the St. Peter Mancroft for the launch of the Christmas tree festival with thanks to Friend in Deed! Some beautiful memories resurfaced for them both as Friend in Deed describe below:
"We were so pleased to welcome Cathy and Di to The Church of St Peter Mancroft to help decorate our intergenerational tree, and we were moved to hear that both ladies married their husbands at the church in the 1950s. Kathy (now aged 86) married Ivan William Jay on the 4th July 1959. Ivan was a chorister and he said to Kathy that they should marry at St Peter Mancroft. Kathy looked at the size of the church and the length of the aisle and said “no way, I’m not walking down that”. It didn’t take long for Ivan to persuade Kathy, especially when her mother was so proud and would tell people that her daughter was marrying at St Peter Mancroft Church! Kathy said “my brother, David, gave me away. It was a very hot day which was lovely. My mum bought all new clothes and she was over the moon to be the mother of the bride”. Kathy paused and then said “I haven’t been in this church for many years, and it is lovely to think back to that special day”.
Di (now aged 94) married Jim (James), she laughed as she said “my father gave me away and as we walked down the aisle he asked if I was sure, he said it’s not too late to pull out. I spent the rest of my walk down the aisle reassuring him that I wanted to marry Jim”. Di looked slowly around the church and said “It’s so big and beautiful in here, we haven’t been in here for a very long time. The wedding went by so quickly, then we jumped on the train to London for our honeymoon. We went to the theatre in London and it has been a big part of my life ever since.” Kathy and Di met in [Brakendon Close] sheltered housing near Norwich city centre and hit it off immediately. They have been friends for many years now and they love to keep each other company on trips and days out."
Photo courtesy of Friend In Deed
