Diamond wedding celebrations for Burton-in-Kendal couple

A couple with strong links to village life in the Lancaster district mark 60 years of marriage this week.
Kath and John Hayhurst.Kath and John Hayhurst.
Kath and John Hayhurst.

Kath and John Hayhurst are celebrating their Diamond Wedding on May 14.

John, who farmed at Badger Gate, Hutton Roof, with his father and grandfather at Lupton Mill, met Kath at a Young Farmers' dance at Burneside.

Kath (nee Sharp) came from Garnett House farm Burneside.

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The pair were married at St Oswald's Church in 1960 with 100 guests in attendance - more than 50 of them aunts and uncles! Refreshments followed at the Bryce Institute.

The couple lived at Whittington, near Kirkby Lonsdale, for eight years, when John worked on the farm , but he had to leave for health reasons and they moved to Burton-in-Kendal in 1968.

John became a HGV driver firstly for Kidds of Melling where he started with picking up milk kits from farms in the Lune Valley, then milk tankers, and cattle wagons.

He also transported goods from Libby’s near Milnthorpe and fertiliser from ICI at Heysham.

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He got to know many roads throughout England, Scotland and Wales, before the motorways were built.

He started driving for Pelters of Whittington next, a tipper wagon, transporting materials to roads, motorways and construction sites.

John was a shop steward and northern area representative for the Transport and General Workers Union for 25 years.

Both are founder members of Burton Fell Walking Society.

John was a sideman at Burton church, a member of the sports committee and treasurer of the Badminton club. He is a former chairman of Beetham Probus and enjoys the men’s lunch club at Holme. He is a lifelong supporter of Blackpool Football Club and he enjoys motorcycling events.

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Kath worked at both Whittington and Burton primary schools. She is a founder member of Burton cub scouts, Burton Art and Craft Society and Holme and District Local History Society.

She is also co-author of four books about local history, one of the vice presidents of Cumbria Family History Society, a former parish councillor and a past president of Burton WI.

The couple have travelled extensively since retiring and have been to more than 50 countries.

They have two sons, Colin and Jeffrey, a daughter Joanne, and six grandchildren .

They had planned a family celebration holiday this summer, but owing to the coronavirus it will have to be postponed.

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