A SALTASH couple, Ray and Mary Frantom, who first met when they attended services over 50 years ago at Saltash Gospel Hall, celebrated their golden wedding earlier this month, and due to the coronavirus restrictions had their celebrations with their family – two daughters, their husbands and children, outdoors, on the Saturday and Sunday, with family picnics.

Ray and Mary were married at Ford Park Gospel Hall, Plymouth, as Saltash Gospel Hall was not licensed for marriages at that time.

In later years, when Saltash Gospel Hall was licensed for weddings, their two daughters were married there.

When they married, Ray and Mary had a white wedding, with three bridesmaids and a page boy, and spent their honeymoon in Penzance.

Mary and Ray have been youth workers for over 50 years at Saltash Gospel Hall and are still continuing, as well as attending services.

Ray was born in Saltash and lived at Hatt, and attended Botus Fleming and North Road Schools, Saltash. On leaving he worked for British Rail as a clerk for several years, then he joined Royal Mail working in the sorting offices at Plymouth, Saltash and Liskeard, retiring as manager of Liskeard Sorting Office after over 30 years’ service with Royal Mail.

Since he has he retired Ray has enjoyed gardening as well as the youth work.

Mary, nee Ackford, was born in St Austell and moved to Saltash later with her parents and attended Saltash Junior and North Road, Saltash schools.

On leaving school, Mary attended Plymouth Technical College, then worked as a clerk in the Civil Service at the employment exchange, Plymouth for several years.

After qualifying as a Speech and Drama Teacher, Mary taught at St Stephen’s School, Saltash, and Montpelier School, Plymouth, and also taught Speech and Drama privately.

For over 32 years, Mary has been speech secretary of Saltash Music, Speech and Drama festival.

The couple have two daughters, Debbie Rundle and Rachel Worrall, and four grandchildren – Luke, Matthew, Hannah and Lydia.

By Audrey Miller