The Church of England

With photos of their family all around their spacious sitting room, Philip and Gina Edmonds talk with evident joy about their life together and their four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

They met 'over the tonsils table' in October 1945 in Leeds Infirmary, where Philip was training as a surgeon and Gina was a theatre nurse. They married the following July and then had 'a very difficult time' because Philip had to live in the hospital for the next five years, with just half a day week off and a salary of £1 a week. Meanwhile Gina was living in rented accommodation and soon had two young children to care for.

But Philip knows that he had an easy time compared with his father, who was a coalminer and worked down the pit for 46 years. This background led Philip to become a Medical Officer for the Coal Board. He became an expert in industrial accidents and diseases, on one occasion having to amputate a leg underground to free a trapped miner.

Following their parents, all four children pursued medical careers, with John, Simon and Paul becoming doctors and Gillian a dentist. They feature strongly in the parish records as they were all confirmed at St Mary's, with Simon and Paul being baptised there and Gillian married there. In addition, Gina was a sidesman at St Mary's for many years. In later life the more intimate surroundings of St Luke's suit Philip and Gina better.

Interestingly, contrasting childhood experiences made them both determined to build a happy and stable family. Philip was one of six children and their adored mother was the serene centre of the family. Gina, on the other hand, had parents who divorced when she was only seven—highly unusual for her generation. Predictably, I asked them the secret of their happy marriage. Gina thought they were fortunate to have 'matched personalities'. Philip said that they were 'very much a family', with Gina at its heart. 'We've respected each other's differences,' he added. Having enjoyed a very happy hour in their company, I would suggest that it is also that they share warm and loving laughter, still finding delight in each other and in small everyday pleasures. Their large and far-flung family, their many friends and the church community will all be wishing them well on 5 July, when they celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.