Diamond Wedding Anniversary Celebrations

Lansbury Court in Sunderland, held an important celebration recently, marking 60 years of marriage between Pat and Jim Burnicle. Keen dancers, Pat and Jim met during their youth at a local dance, which the two of them used to attend regularly. Pat was a very good dancer, whilst Jim was not as rhythmically talented, but took up dance lessons so that he could impress Pat and dance as her partner. The dancing lessons clearly worked, as the couple fell in love and married in July 1957, before moving to their first home a year later, a two-up-two-down terrace house, in Silksworth in Sunderland. The couple were hard working, with Pat working in a machine factory before moving to a catalogue sorting office, whilst Jim worked in a local ship yard as an engineer. In 1958, Pat and Jim welcomed their eldest son Colin, before John was born seven years later. Colin recalls his time growing up; “As a family, I remember we used to have really good beach holidays to Rhyl and Llandudno in North Wales. The whole family would go down and meet with relatives we have in Wales, we would all have a great time together.” When asked what the secret was to a long and happy marriage, Jim replied “Taking the time to listen and understand each other.” The pair celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at the home with their two sons, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Afternoon tea and cakes were organised by the home and the family chatted about the past, sharing photographs from their time growing up. For regular updates on news in our homes, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchardcarehome/