Freckleton amateur dramatics couple celebrate golden anniversary

Bob and Kathy Gemmell can often be found treading the boards at Lowther Pavilion as part of Amateur Dramatics Group The Anonymous Players.

And now the two thespians are celebrating a landmark in their own story - as they mark 50 years of wedded bliss.

The couple, from Dinnington, who now live in Freckleton, met through their love of amateur dramatics while members of Dinnington Operatics Society.

Retired sales engineer Bob, 71, and former secretary Kathy, 70 have two sons Andrew (Archie) 46, and Rob, 41, who is also a member of The Anonymous Players.

The couple are part of the Friends of Lowther charity, for whom Bob is the chairman of the committee. He is also a volunteer of the tech team at the Lowther, which supplies spotlight and stage managing.

The pair moved to Freckleton in 2006 to be close to their sons, who had moved there through work, and have four grandchildren: Lucy, 17, Harry 15,

Douglas, eight, and Ewan six.

Kathy, who has been President of Freckleton WI for 11 years says they had plans for a big party on their anniversary, on Saturday, June 20,

with friends from all over the country attending but due to Covid 19 it has been put on hold.

She says: “We were going to have a big party at the Lightning Club in Warton.

“But we have booked the same Saturday next year and will be having it then.”

Instead the pair are going to enjoy a socially distanced family get-together in the garden.

They say the secret to their long lasting marriage is togetherness.

And Kathy says: “We have shared interests but we have always allowed each other to do other things.”

Bob says: “We never argue - as I’m always right!”