A COUNTRY park was transformed into a scene from 60 years ago for a Marbury couple celebrating their diamond day.

George and Maureen Savage could not believe their eyes when the family barbecue they were expecting to mark their 60th wedding anniversary was actually a replica of their big day.

"We thought we were having a barbecue in our son's garden," Maureen said.

"We never had an inkling."

Northwich Guardian:

The pair met when they were among the first families to move into the former prisoner of war camp at Marbury Park.

George said: "We met in 1949 when there was an influx of labour into ICI.

"Her father was one of the first that had a bungalow on here and my father came up afterwards and was invited by her father to have a look – and we moved into a bungalow here too.

"My mum said to her 'I've got a son that would suit you'."

Maureen said: "The first time I saw him we both worked at ICI and they used to have a special bus to take us to work.

"He used to sit opposite looking at my knees."

Northwich Guardian:

The pair hit it off straightaway and married at St Mary and All Saints Church, in Great Budworth, on July 9, 1955, when Maureen was 20 and George 21.

Their reception was held at Marbury Park, where they enjoyed simple sandwiches and the park's annual sports day.

Maureen said: "On our wedding day it was the sports day at Marbury and we were in the swimming gala – I had all my hair done and they went and put us in for the first race."

The newlyweds triumphed in the swim, which was a husband and wife race.

George then went on to compete in the three-legged race with his grandmother, who was in her 90s at the time.

The couple's first house was also on the park and they were one of the last families to leave in 1969.

They went on to have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

Six months of secret planning went into the organisation of their diamond wedding anniversary.

Northwich Guardian:

The couple, now aged 80 and 81, were picked up by a Rolls Royce and taken to the church in Great Budworth for a blessing of their marriage.

Replica buttonholes were made, matching those in their wedding photographs, and the prayer book that Maureen carried down the aisle in 1955 was tracked down and repaired for her to carry once more.

After visiting their parents' graves the couple, who now live in Warwickshire, were transported to Marbury Park, where the oak lodge was festooned in bunting and picnic tables laid out for a wedding feast, including a replica wedding cake.

Among the guests were three of the couple's bridesmaids and friends that they have not seen for more than 20 years.

The family also organised a sports day for the afternoon.

Julie Bremridge, George and Maureen's daughter, said: "We were trying to think of something to do for their anniversary and thought wouldn't it be great if we could get everyone together and celebrate it as they did 60 years ago.

"It's been a beautiful day and we've had people coming from Essex, Kent, up north, all over."

Maureen said: "They're a special family."