Worthing woman goes back to the 1980s in BBC programme

MEMORIES of the royal wedding in 1981 were shared on television by a Worthing mother last night.
Jennifer Hawkins in BBC 2's Back in Time for the WeekendJennifer Hawkins in BBC 2's Back in Time for the Weekend
Jennifer Hawkins in BBC 2's Back in Time for the Weekend

The Ashby Hawkins family has been transported back through the decades for BBC 2 programme Back in Time for the Weekend.

Episode 4, screened at 8pm yesterday, featured the 1980s and featured a party celebrating the wedding of Charles and Diana.

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Rob Hawkins, who was born and bred in Worthing, partner Steph and their children Daisy, 16, and Seth, 12, have been experiencing what life was like in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Future episodes will see them in the 1990s and the 21st century.

Jennifer standing for the National Anthem, much to the surprise of her familyJennifer standing for the National Anthem, much to the surprise of her family
Jennifer standing for the National Anthem, much to the surprise of her family

Rob’s mother, Jennifer Hawkins, of Stopham Close, Worthing, joined the family for the royal wedding party.

Rob was ten when Charles and Diana were married at St Paul’s Cathedral. He and Jennifer camped outside the venue for five nights to get a front-row spot for the occasion.

Royalist Jennifer explained: “I just saw it on the television that people were gathering and I am thinking ‘why aren’t I there?’.”

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She smiled and agreed when Rob said she had dropped everything for the royal family.

Worthing woman Jennifer in 1981Worthing woman Jennifer in 1981
Worthing woman Jennifer in 1981

“I did take a chance taking you along at ten years old,” she told him.

“What I always remember is right to the very last, when the cars were leaving Buckingham Palace, they were still vacuuming the carpet.”

Rob remembered: “We were so close to the church, I actually felt like one of the guests.”

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During the party, Jennifer stood up for the National Anthem, to the surprise of her family, and they all watched the wedding together on television.

Jennifer Hawkins with Rob in 1981, camping out for the royal weddingJennifer Hawkins with Rob in 1981, camping out for the royal wedding
Jennifer Hawkins with Rob in 1981, camping out for the royal wedding

Rob said: “I had not seen it on the television before, the only time I had seen it was live with my mother, there, so to actually watch it with my mum, it was a lovely experience.”

The programme is a follow-up ot Back in Time for Dinner.

Rob explained: “We were transported back to experience leisure time throughout the decades.”

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Rob Hawkins and his mother look back at their photos from 1981Rob Hawkins and his mother look back at their photos from 1981
Rob Hawkins and his mother look back at their photos from 1981
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