A couple who have lived on the same Gedney Drove End land for almost their entire married life are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary.
Geoff and Beryl Payne started their own smallholding business farming strawberries, flowers and vegetables at the Dawsmere Road property, initially living in a wooden bungalow.
Now, 74 years later, they’re still there together, albeit in a stone bungalow.
Geoff turned 96 last week and has lived in the village all of his life.
He met the now 94-year-old Beryl when she was working at Clement’s shop in her home town of Long Sutton.
“I asked if she’d got any cigarettes and could I take her to the pictures,” said Geoff.
“He was handsome with lovely blonde wavy hair,” said Beryl.
Neither can remember what film they went to see.
After three years courting they married at Lutton Church on Saturday, March 7, 1950.
“It was very windy,” said Beryl of the day. “We just had a lovely day and gathering around my mum and dad Alice and Claude Caley’s home was near to the Peele School.”
A former sergeant major with the Army Cadets, Geoff had wanted to join the Army but his dad Cyril persuaded him to stay and work on the land.
The pair say they didn’t take a holiday for 16 years as they built up their business.
They had the first telephone in the village and would often have villagers come round to make a call.
Geoff was also an inspector with the Special Constabulary in the village while Beryl was a member of the Women’s Voluntary Service.
Football was a big part of their lives with Geoff playing until he was 45 for Gedney Drove End FC with Beryl and their daughter Judy Hunns helping out regularly. Through the FA Geoff was a regular at FA Cup finals.
Judy herself is 74 and recently celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary to John. They have a son and grandson.
“We’ve worked hard but we’ve had a very good life,” said Geoff. “We help each other and I do as much of the house work as I can.”
Beryl added: “Geoff’s wonderful, very considerate; he still brings me flowers every week.
“We don’t have any secrets, we’re honest with each other and we just get on with life.
“We’ve had the best time together.”
