OLDHAM mayor Ginny Alexander has apologised to a couple for not attending their 50th wedding anniversary celebration because of coronavirus restrictions.

Gillian and Rodney Melton met at Christ Church, Chadderton, Youth Club, Rodney's church at that time, when Gillian was 16 and he was 19.

From the age of 15 until he was made redundant in his early 50's, Rodney worked at Charles Robinson (Rotaforme) Ltd. He then started working for Group 4 as a post opener for two hours per day at a Benefits office in Ashton for two years before another company took over the contract and after another couple years became a Messenger.

He had to take early retirement due to ill health at the age of 60 and took full retirement at 65.

For most of her working life Gillian was a Shorthand Typist/Secretary until, after being made redundant from Ferranti, Gem Mill, in 1988.

She then started work at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (now Transport for Greater Manchester) where, after a few years as a Secretary, she became an Analyst for a quality regime on the local heavy rail network.

This involved her visiting some of the rail stations that were part of this regime on a regular basis as well as processing the results of inspections by others. Gillian retired in 2010 after injuring her back a couple of years earlier.

Added the Mayor: “I send you my very best wishes and I hope you liked the flowers and special card I sent. Here’s wishing you both a wonderful day.”