Couple’s diamond wedding

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 9

Couple’s diamond wedding

Wedding plans that revolved round a train timetable made tor a memorable marriage, reflected a Christchchurch couple who will celebrate their diamond wedding tomorrow.

Mary and Harry Sail, who were married 60 years ago in the Methodist Church at Whitecliffs, had to plan their wedding to coincide with the arrival of a train from Coalgate to Whitecliffs, as that was the most common transport for most of the 120

wedding guests. “After the marriage ceremony, the train driver thought we had got on board again and he took off tooting all the way down the line,” reminisced Mr Sail, who will be 84 in October. “But we weren’t on the train anyway,” said Mrs Sail.

Their journey through life has seemed like a moment in time to Mr Sail.

“It’s only 720 months after all,” he said.

Four of the original bridal party would also attend the anniversary celebrations in Christchurch tomorrow, including a bridesmaid, a groomsman and two flower girls “who are now grown up of course,” said Mrs Sail. No recipe for a long married life was offered except the advice to “give and take, lots of give and take,” said Mrs Sall. “Nowadays couples don’t try hard enough,” she said.

After farming at Cust for about 11 years, Mr and Mrs Sail moved to Redcliffs in 1938. There, Mr Sail joined the Christ-

church City Council’s staff as a truck-driver while Mrs Sail had the job of raising their three daughters.

During World War 11, Mr Sail was a member of the former Sumner-Red-cliffs Volunteer Fire Brigade. He was also a keen rugby and football player and respresented North Canterbury for several years.

Since their retirement, Mrs Sail has continued her interests in gardening and baking. Hip problems have slowed Mr Sail down, but he still enjoys having visitors including the couple’s six grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.