for Doreen and Brian

A COUPLE from Coalpit Heath had an extra-special celebration on Valentine’s Day – marking 70 years of marriage.

Doreen and Brian Lealan were married on February 14 1953, and celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary surrounded by scores of family members spanning the generations.

They’ve even had an official congratulations card from King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, and appeared on the BBC's Points West news programme.

Doreen, aged 88 and Brian, 91, met at a works dance when they both worked for industrial company William Butlers in Bristol.

They married at Holy Trinity Church in Kingswood, but had to change their wedding plans twice - first when Brian was called up for National Service and then when Brian was ill on the rearranged date of February 7.

The big day was postponed a week, only for a huge blizzard on the morning of the 14th to put it at risk again.

Doreen feared the wedding would be cancelled for a third time. She said: “I thought everywhere and everyone will be snowed in. But thankfully the snowstorm passed, it stopped snowing and by the time we set off they had cleared the roads of the snow and it was OK.”

The wedding went ahead, but afterwards Brian had to return to the Army and Doreen returned to live with her parents in Bristol.

She said: “I was working, and obviously Brian was paid for his National Service so we were able to save up and look for a house.

"There was still rationing then - we were all still coming out of the war, really - but it gave us the chance to save up and get our own home.”

The couple had three daughters, and now have seven grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

Doreen said: “It’s lovely because almost all of the family live close by, so we’re a close bunch.”

One of their daughters, Tracie Bennet, thanked people for their kind messages and all who attended the platinum wedding party at the Miners Social Club in Coalpit Heath.

Doreen says she and Brian have had 70 very happy years. She said: "We’ve had our arguments the same as everyone, and it’s hard bringing up children, but if you have a row you’ve got to make up - there’s no point holding grudges for too long.

"I think as you get older you get more tolerant, and it’s lovely to get to 70 years."

A HISTORIC ruin unearthed by a retired Olveston teacher and amateur archaeologists from Thornbury has featured on popular BBC history programme Digging for Britain.

The TV show, fronted by Professor Alice Roberts, joined local archaeologists and Bristol University experts unearthing the mystery of a 12th century hunting lodge, and its role in a period of history described as "19 years of hell" by an academic.

John Wilson-Smith, a former teacher at Castle School in Thornbury, bought the woodland site near the village when he retired, because of his love of nature.

He was intrigued by maps that showed an old chapel there, and in 2011 asked Thornbury Museum Archaeology Research Group, headed by Roger Howell, to take a look.

They realised it was an ancient hunting lodge – used by wealthy people 700 years ago.

John said: “The archaeology team from the museum have been working hard for 12 years – and have unearthed more than 5,000 items.