'˜It takes two' say Worthing diamond duo

Ann and Don Kaye have bought each other a ring to wear on their right hands to mark the occasion. It follows the purchase of silver rings for their 25th wedding anniversary, which were blessed in a ceremony at Goring United Reformed Church.

Ann, 80, was brought up in Thackeray Road, East Worthing. Her mother died when she was 12 and her father when she was 15. Her brother, well-known Worthing fisherman Les Fuller, was allowed to keep their council house and he and wife Molly looked after Ann and their other brothers.

Don, 84, went to live with his aunt, who also happened to be called Fuller, just a few doors down and the couple met as part of a group of friends in the road.

Ann recalled: “We girls all lived in the same road. They were all after him.”

Don said he took three girls to the cinema at the same time.

“It was raining and Ann had an umbrella. I came under it and that is when it took off.”

Ann said he kissed her on the doorstep and remembered she was 17 at the time.

They were engaged at Christmas when she was 18 and married at Broadwater Parish Church on March 17, 1956.

Ann worked at a factory making jumpers and Don worked at Lancing Carriage Works. He then became a bus conductor for a few years before training as a cabinet maker at Manhattan Kitchens in Lancing.

They had six children but their eldest daughter, Jane, died at the age of four from encephalitis, caused by measles.

They moved to their home in Ringmer Road, Worthing, in 1958, with eldest son Paul and Jane, when the house was first built and their third child, Sharon was born there. Mary, Sarah and Peter followed.

The couple now have 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Don said they liked ‘a simple life’ and spending time with family.

“I have got a good wife. She keeps the house nice and clean. I do appreciate what she does for me.”

Ann added: “It takes two. We both worked. He would save the money, I would make the ‘bottom drawer’ up, so to speak, and when we went out, we always shared.”

The family is having a get-together at The John Selden at the weekend and donations will be made to Parkinson’s UK in lieu of presents, as Don has had the condition for the last six years. Take Stock, a band that has done a lot to support the charity, will be performing.

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