AN Aldborough St John couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary the only way they knew how – with an old fashioned ceilidh.
Keen dancers Joyce and Ian Appleyard, who run the Hayloft health food shop, in Barnard Castle, met when they were teenagers at a traditional dance and have happily twirled their way through 50 years of marriage together.
They hosted a traditional ceilidh at Aldborough village hall on the day of their anniversary, decorating it with many photographs of their time together.
Their children Nick and Tracey even serenaded the pair with some local songs.
“It was a wonderful evening,” said Mr Appleyard.
“A couple of days later we had a blessing as well at Barton Church, which was a complete surprise.”
Friends had organised the blessing, which was officiated by Bishop Helen Ann, of Knaresborough.
They also baked and iced a cake for the surprise event.
They have spent all but six years of their married life in Aldborough St John, moving there in the early 1970s.
Mr Appleyard was originally from Leeds and Mrs Appleyard was born and brought up in Darlington.
They have owned and run the Hayloft, in Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, since 2004 when they purchased it from Maureen and David Atkinson.
“When we bought it people wondered how we would get on being together all the time,” said Mr Appleyard.
“But it’s been like that all our married lives and we enjoy it.”
The couple, who were both keen traditional dancers, met at various ceilidhs and barn dances held around the region.
“Ian danced for a club at Kirkby Fleetham and I for Darlington so we were always bumping into each other,” said Mrs Appleyard.
Her husband, who is still actively involved in traditional dancing and is a teacher for Richmond and Swaledale Morris Dancers, added: “Back then boys sat on one side of the hall and girls on the other side.”
Before and during their marriage Mr and Mrs Appleyard have danced all over the United Kingdom as well as in Holland, Germany and America.
Such is their love for dancing Mrs Appleyard even performed at a dancing display when she was nine months pregnant.
“The night before I gave birth to our son I took part in a display at Boldron village hall,” reminisced Mrs Appleyard.
“I joked at time I would end up in hospital the next day and I did.”
Their secret to a successful marriage?
“Allowing each other freedom but having a common interest,” said Mr Appleyard, who is looking forward to the next 50 years together.
