Couple celebrate their 68th anniversary

TOM and Catherine Timmins

ONE of Oldham's longest married couples celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this month however in reality they have spent much longer together.

Tom and Catherine Timmins, from Waterhead, met as babies when their mothers used to go to Robin Hill public baths and washhouse and sit their prams next to each other

After attending the same school and despite knowing each other their whole lives, Tom had to wear Catherine down before she agreed to a date.

Catherine said: "He pestered me into stepping out with him when I was 15 years old. We went out for five years before we decided to get married."

The pair, both 89, went on to have children and have held a variety of jobs over the years, with Catherine working in catering and nursing while Tom was involved with making Lancaster bombers before becoming a lorry driver and working with the gas board.

Catherine said: "We're amazed to have reached our 68th anniversary but we've actually spent a lifetime together.

"My only advice to those getting married is to love each other as much as possible. We love each other as much now as we did then."

To celebrate their long marriage a special party was organised by their neighbours at the First Choice Homes Oldham Community Centre at Daisy Hill Court.

The couple moved into their FCHO property when they needed a property that required easier access following Tom's knee operation and to be closer to their children who lived in the area.

Daisy Hill Court also offers an expanding range of activities for residents including exercise classes, bingo and coffee mornings.

Catherine, who has suffered with poor eyesight for several years, credits the services with helping the couple experience more and meet new people/

She said: "I've been practically blind for the past three years, so going there has given me a chance to at least have some connection with others".

Competition

Tom added: "We go in at least three times a week, to bingo, the quiz and coffee morning.

"I'm going to have a go at the annual gardens competition again this year as well".

Following a recent series of eye operations, Catherine's eyesight has started to return and they are now looking forward to taking part in chair-based exercise classes run by Age UK every Friday afternoon.

The couple are also looking forward to joining others in taking part in the recently established TOG Mind 'Active Monitoring' sessions at the Community Centre which give residents a chance to develop 'self-help skills' around issues such as confidence and anxiety.