It’s diamond day for bus ride pair
TWO teenage sweethearts, who first met in 1955, have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the very same place where their relationship started.
Norman Blackmore and Margaret Maidment met after attending the same church together in Ely in Cardiff and married four years later on August 15, 1959.
Norman, who had moved to Cardiff from Portsmouth as a young child, was 15 when he asked Margaret out on a bus on the way home from Mount Pleasant Church (now the Ely Presbyterian Church). Despite there being just five months difference between the two youngsters, Margaret was initially unimpressed, and said: “Oh no, he’s too young for me.”
It was Norman’s best friend, Eddie, who set the couple up. After spotting Margaret getting onto a bus opposite the church, Eddie pushed Norman across the road and told him to take her home. Norman got on the bus and after plucking up the courage to invite her to tea, the rest is history.
Norman said: “It was really clear that the only thing we could do was get married.”
They tied the knot at Mount Pleasant Church with Eddie at their side. He has remained a dear friend to both.
The couple initially bonded over their disabilities, as Norman lived with cerebral palsy and Margaret had polio. They set up their home in Archer Crescent and went on to have four children together: Jocelyn, Charlotte, Judith and Robert.
They then moved to the church manse which belonged to Mount Pleasant Church on Archer Road. They have lived there ever since, right opposite the bus stop where it all began, which is still standing today.
Both Norman and Margaret are still active members of the church, with Norman frequently helping out with some duties. A former factory worker before he joined the dental trade for more than 40 years, Norman retired 15 years ago aged 65. He has remained extremely active since and takes care of Margaret as her health has deteriorated.
Margaret worked as a punch card operator for five years for the health board before taking a break to start their family. She then became a secretary within the church school and an art teacher there for more than 10 years. The couple are both artistic and enjoy painting and drawing together.
Norman and Margaret, who now have 12 grandchildren and one greatgrandson, say their love and bond is as strong as ever and it is thanks to that that they have been able to face each day together.