Golden anniversary for couple who met on blind date

A couple who met on a blind date for a Christmas party are celebrating 50 years of marriage.

Wendy and Patrick Botting, both 73, were set up by her dad, who worked with Patrick, when she didn’t have a date for the party in 1965.

The couple, who have lived in Norfolk Park Cottages for the last 48 years, will be holding a family party at their home today (Saturday), which marks the golden anniversary of their wedding at nearby St Luke’s Church.

Patrick, who used to work in supplies for the Royal Air Force, was stationed at White Waltham Airfield at the time he met Wendy.

The pair, who have two children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren only dated for three months before Patrick was posted to the Gulf of Aden for six months.

During that time Wendy planned their wedding,

exchanging letters about the details.

Wendy said: “It doesn’t feel like 50 years, I’m still finding things out about Patrick, even now.”

Of their secret, she said: “Never take each other for granted, and don’t go to bed on an argument.