Couple renew vows after 50 wonderful years together

Peter and Angela Skinner confirmed their commitment to each other on the spot where they were married a half a century earlier.

The ceremony at St Mary Magdalene Church in South Bersted was performed by the Rev Steve Nunn.

Present were the couple's bridesmaid and best man from their big day in 1957.

Mrs Skinner (70) said: 'We both got very emotional standing there.'

Mr Skinner stated: 'My mind flashed back right to the very start when we got to know each other.'

The ceremony completed a special weekend after a hotel party for 56 guests. They included many from the wedding.

Mr and Mrs Skinner ensured others could also share their happiness. They divided the near 700 they received instead of presents between three charities '“ St Wilfrid's Hospice, the Sussex Snowdrop Trust and the British Heart Foundation.

The couple met soon after Mr Skinner (76) had completed his two years' national service in the RAF in late 1954.

A gas fitter, he was invited by his father who worked for Southdown buses to attend one of its Christmas dances.

He was attracted to a lovely shy girl called Angela Root who worked as a telephonist and clerk in Bognor bus station.

He asked her for a dance and they began to date. Their relationship progressed into an engagement in 1955.

At about the time of their marriage, Mr Skinner moved into the gas industry's marketing side where he stayed until his retirement in 1994 after 48 years.

Mrs Skinner had given birth to their two daughters '“ Julie and Martine '“ before it was found that she needed a damaged heart valve replaced.

It was a pioneering operation at the time and performed by one of the world's top surgeons.

Mr and Mrs Skinner have lived in Hawthorn Road for 47 years in a house which Mr Skinner's great-grandparents moved into during the 1880s.

He said the couple were looking forward to their diamond anniversary.

'We have been very compatible over the years doing many things together, travelling the world to see our many old friends and relatives who had emigrated in the 1950s.

'You have to enjoy what you have to the full and work as a team.

'You are only on this planet once and time literally flies. So, make the most of it and live your life, even with its ups and downs, to the full,' he advised.