A couple set up as teenagers are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.
Ray Barnett’s mum Evelyn told him he should take Gerry out on a date after she’d started working alongside her at a tea and coffee morning.
“My first thought was ‘wow’ and that I didn’t stand a chance with her,” said Ray. “That was after my mum told me to get some lemonade from the store and asking when I’d take her out.”
The date didn’t go to plan as the pair had to isolate because Ray got the mumps, but around five years later the pair were married in Southgate, north London on April 25, 1965 before honeymooning near Bournemouth.
Ray spent his working life in the chocolate industry, starting at Terry’s.
With Gerry being an accountant, they opened up their own business specialising in Belgian chocolate.
The pair have been in Weston Hills for 15 years.
They describe themselves as animal lovers and they currently have two rescue cats.
They also love golf, have travelled the world playing the sport and are members of Spalding Golf Club.
Gerry is an artist who has sold her watercolour landscape works in the past.
Her great uncle was the famous music hall entertainer Bud Flanagan.
“Ray still makes me laugh,” she said. “There’s not much wrong with him. He’s very caring, family orientated and loving.”
“Gerry is a very good cook,” Ray responds. “It’s a lovely friendship and companionship.
“We’ve not had many arguments at all. Patience and understanding is the secret to a long relationship.”
Gerry and Ray are to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a break alongside son and daughter Stephen and Amanda and their four grandchildren.
