Couple who hail from Horden Colliery mark 65 years of marriage (From The Advertiser Series)

Couple who hail from Horden Colliery mark 65 years of marriage

5:28pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Lizzie Anderson

A COUPLE, who united two well known Horden Colliery businesses when they tied the knot in 1947, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this week.

Alec and Mabel Mills got married at St Mary’s Church in Horden Colliery, on October 15 1947.

The wedding took place on a Wednesday afternoon to fit in with the opening hours of their family’s businesses – Mills Confectionary and Hobbs Cobblers.

Mrs Mills, 87, said the wedding was a memorable occasion for many reasons – most notably the catering.

Wartime rationing had seen a ban on cooked meet at catered events, so the couple had no idea what to expect.

“We were flabbergasted to discover we had beetroot and tomato sandwiches,” said Mrs Mills, who worked for the civil service.

“But once we got over our shock we all had a good laugh. There were fresh cream cakes and a three tier wedding cake as well, so no-one went hungry.”

The couple, who moved to Newton Aycliffe in 1966, had two daughters , Carolyn, who sadly passed away in 2004, and Susan. 

They have two grandsons, Peter and Graeme, and six great grandchildren.

Mr Mills, 88, a former bricklayer who served with the Royal Marines during the Second World War, said the secret to a long and happy marriage was compromise and companionship.

“You have to train them to do the washing up too,” joked Mrs Mills.