Surprise for Horsham couple’s 60th wedding

George and Brenda Mansbridge are marking their 60th wedding anniversary - picture submitted

Brenda and George Mansbridge, both 82, were married on April 16 1955 in St Andrew’s Parish Church in Nuthurst after meeting at a youth club eight years earlier when they were both 14.

In this surprise article prompted by their daughter-in-law Marie, she shares what has made their marriage special.

She said: “They’ve never had an argument. They have heated discussions, but they just talk about things.

George and Brenda Mansbridge on their wedding day in April 1965 - picture submitted

“They still hold hands walking down the street and are very king and loving people - always helping neighbours out. They think they are spring chickens. George says he never goes to bed without giving a kiss goodnight.

“He was at mine this week and he was saying what he says when people ask him ‘what makes a marriage?’. He says ‘give and take’.”

Brenda grew up in Lower Beeding and George’s family lived in Nuthurst where his father and grandfather built and lived in the Helm cottages there.

His grandparents lived in one, his parents in another and when he married Brenda they moved into another.

They both have strong links to the north Horsham area.

George worked on the Helm farm in Nuthurst, which his grandfather started and later became a lorry driver until retiring in 1997.

Brenda served as dinner lady at St Andrew’s CofE Primary School for 30 years until her retirement in 1995.

She was also in the Girl Guides and worked at South Lodge Hotel when the Godman sisters took in children in the war.

Having spent most of their married life in Nuthurst, they moved to Horsham in 1995 where they still live.

Both an only child themselves, they went onto have one son, Colin.

He sadly died four years ago, but they are still in close contact with his wife, Marie.

She said: “In April 2011 when Colin died, if had a big impact on them. They are very humble people and always do what they can for anyone they meet. They have been a big help to me.”

Throughout their marriage they have enjoyed going out dancing together and seeing the likes of James Last and Daniel O’Donnell in concert.

Marie said the pair would celebrating their anniversary with a trip to the New Forest to one of their favourite hotels.

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