The mayor of Shildon, Councillor Henry Nicholson, was proud to present a lovely bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Town Council to Irene and Terence Bell, who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Friday 23rd January, 2015.
Terence, 76, known as Terry, is a local lad born in Redworth Road who attended All Saints School, whilst his wife Irene was born in Spennymoor.
Terry left school in 1953 and found employment at Shildon Works, staying only for 6 month before moving on to North Road Loco Works to start an apprenticeship as a plater.
He was called up into the Army in 1959 where he stayed until 1961, when he went to work at Dermide Plastic Flooring Covering in Aycliffe Industrial Estate. He returned to Shildon Works in January 1965, just 2 weeks before he married Irene.
After the Works closed in 1984 Terry started on the Community Programme at Eden Grange Fish Farm, supervising 30 labourers. In 1988 he began at Talents Engineering in Newton Aycliffe, retiring in 2003.
Irene, 69, started work in 1960 at Smart & Browns, Spennymoor, where she stayed for 5 years, leaving only to get married.
After raising her family she worked the twilight shift at G.E.C. Aycliffe.
In 1970 she found employment at Astraka where she stayed until its closure 15 years later. She then moved on to Ramar Dresses in Crook until that too closed its doors. Next was Paiges, which also closed. Her final job was at B.B.H. on South Church Industrial Estate, retiring when Terry ceased working.
The lovely couple met in the Masons Arms in Shildon at a sing-along before tying the knot at Bishop Auckland Register Office.
After they married they lived in Redworth Road with Terry’s family before moving into their own home just next door. In 1975 they moved to their current address in Dalton Crescent.
They have two daughters, Stephanie and Gillian, who both live in Shildon, as well as 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Terry was an avid Newcastle United supporter, attending games both home and away for 20 – 30 years. In earlier times he played darts and dominoes, but now he enjoys a pint at the Institute and the Three Tuns.
Irene was a keen bingo player at New Shildon W.M.C. She also played darts and dominoes for the Redworth Arms and then the B.R., where she represented the North East Staff Association, playing all over the North of England. Her main delight in her life is her family, who she sees nearly every day.
They celebrated their very special occasion with a party for family and friends at the Institute on Saturday night, 24th January, with an Elvis Presley tribute singer.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
