It was a year of riots in Paris, anti-war protests outside the American embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square, Russian tanks rolling into Prague and the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. Yet, for all its turbulence, 1968 had its lighter moments too. It was the year that saw the premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the start of Dad’s Army and The Golden Shot on television.
Now, half a century on, couples with golden memories of their own - of their weddings rather than of The Golden Shot! - are being invited to Ripon Cathedral to a special service to renew their vows on June 10 at 3.30pm. Anyone who got married in 1968, or even earlier, is invited to attend the ticket-only service.
Last year’s golden wedding service attracted 82 couples. Each ‘bride’ is presented with a delicate gold corsage and there is a celebratory cake and refreshments afterwards. “It’s one of the happiest services of the year, “said organiser Linda Bennett, “which is a joy to the celebrating couples, their families and friends, all in a most wonderful setting.”
Among those attending will be Judith and Rob Hillery (pictured right) from Ripon who got married in the cathedral in April 1968. Judith was given away by the former MP for Harrogate, the Rt. Hon. James Ramsden. She had been the nanny to his five children and two of his daughters were bridesmaids. Judith had strong links to the cathedral as she was undermatron at the former choir school.
Rob, a former police officer, recalled: “I come from a large Ripon family so it was quite a big wedding. Judith’s sister came over from America, one of the bridesmaids came from Scotland and members of my family also came from the Midlands.” Among them was Rob’s brother, Cecil, who had got married some years earlier and who came to the cathedral to celebrate his own golden wedding a few years ago.
“We went to the service to accompany Cecil and his wife, Elisa, and it was a lovely occasion. We are really looking forward to this year’s service and to being accompanied by two of our daughters and three grandchildren,” he added.
Also at the service will be Sybil and Anthony Pillar from Knaresborough (pictured left) who got married in June 1963 in Oxford where Anthony had been at university. The vicar who married them, the Rev. James Coke, is still in post today and takes an active role in many services.
“We had our reception at the Oxford Union, which is a magnificent building, but we were terribly worried that someone would light a cigarette and start a fire and destroy some of its priceless books,” said Sybil. Thankfully, no one did but even if they had, the wet weather on the day would have helped to put out the fire.
“It was dreadfully wet,” said Sybil “and one of the guests said to me that I shouldn’t worry because if it rains on your wedding day, you’ll never be short of money. I’m not sure that that is necessarily true.”
They went to the cathedral five years ago to mark their golden wedding year, enjoyed the occasion immensely and are very happy to be going back to the cathedral for the service this year.
The first such service was held in Ripon around 20 years ago.
The service will be taken by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, and the preacher will be the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Revd Toby Howarth.
Regardless of where they got married or when, as long as it was in 1968 or before, couples are invited to attend and bring their families and friends.
Tickets are free but they must be obtained in advance from Linda Bennett at the Chapter House, Ripon Cathedral, Ripon HG4 1QT.