Fred and Maureen Pegington
DIAMOND WEDDING
December 26th 1950 - 2010
Meredith Road Baptist Church
in Coventry on Boxing Day, 1950
(see below)
Maureen and Fred have known each other all their lives, and even started school together. They were always very good friends, though only meeting occasionally after Maureen’s family moved to Coventry in the 1930’s. It was only when Fred returned from Jamaica in early 1949, after working there for three years, that they realised what that friendship really meant. After a few months they were engaged, and were married in Meredith Road Baptist Church in Coventry on Boxing Day, 1950. Maureen’s family had attended a Baptist church in the centre of the town which had been bombed during the war, and this new church had been built in a suburb. They were the first couple to be married there. It was a fine but very cold day with a hoar frost on the hedges.
As wartime rationing was still in force, including clothing, preparations for the day were not easy. Clothes had to be chosen that were suitable for use after the wedding. The reception was organised by Maureen’s family, and was held in the Church Hall. It was quite a feat to obtain sufficient food to feed all the guests in party style, but everybody rallied round and made it successful. Maureen was working in Liverpool and Fred was working in Port Sunlight at the time, and one of Maureen’s colleagues produced a large catering tin of fruit, and a large tin of ham also appeared from some mysterious source. Fred’s parents sold McVities biscuits in their shop in South Wales, and the McVities salesman arranged for the company to make the cake—an offer very gratefully accepted. After the ceremony they went on a very cold train to London for a few days for the honeymoon.
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They had three children, Ann, David and Joyce, but David unfortunately died in a road accident, aged 21. They have seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, so are kept on their toes. How do you stay together for 60 years? They say that there is no magic formula, but enjoying common interests, while also doing things independently, helps. However, love, tolerance, patience, and family probably form the basis of a long and happy marriage.
Both Fred and Maureen still keep active, taking holidays in different parts of Britain a few times a year. They also belong to various groups holding regular meetings, as well as being very involved with Church activities. The family also play a big part in their lives, helping to keep them mentally alert.
The diamond wedding was celebrated with a family party at Ann’s house, at which about 20 guests were present, in spite of snow and ice, which unfortunately did prevent some family members from attending. This was followed up later by a meal out with family and friends.