A COUPLE who were married at St Stephen by Saltash Parish Church 50 years ago with five bridesmaids celebrated their golden wedding at Saltash on Saturday, February 4, with their five bridesmaids, who had travelled to attend the celebration. Raymond and Thelma Johnson were both born in Saltash and used to attend socials in the town. Their wedding was truly a white one – not only was the bride wearing white but the five bridesmaids and it was snowing when they went to the church. Ray, who was born at Burraton Coombe, Saltash, attended St Stephen's School and, on leaving at 14, completed a five-year apprenticeship in electrical engineering. He did two years' national service in the RAF, and afterwards served in Devonport Dockyard for 36 years until he retired. Ray is long-standing member of Saltash Camera Club and he has been a chorister in St Stephen's Church choir since 1947. He enjoys playing snooker and billiards at Saltash Working Men's Club. Thelma was born at Saltash Waterside and attended Saltash Infants and Girls' School in North Road, and then Saltash Grammar School. On leaving school, became a shop assistant for Savage the hairdresser in Saltash. Later, she became a cashier for Jane the butcher and worked there for seven years until her marriage. Thelma is a member of the WI and St Stephen's Wives' Group, and a member of Saltash Trefoil Guild. The couple have two sons, Paul and Graham and three grandchildren, Ross, 18, Lucy 14 and Liam 11. The mayor and mayoress of Saltash, David and Helen Carter, visited them on their special day with a bouquet of flowers. Later, after friends and neighbours had called in all day, they went for a meal with their family and five bridesmaids at Holland Inn, Saltash.