Royal greetings for East Preston couple

The royal encounter in 2002 at the South of England Show was arranged by a friend who knew the then Lord Lieutenant, the Queen’s representative in West Sussex.

“They lined us up with all the dignitaries, but she came straight to us, first. She was introduced to us and congratulated us on our anniversary. It’s a lovely thing to remember,” said Mavis.

Their diamond day was another busy one for the couple, of Warren Crescent, East Preston.

Mavis, 80, was at the village festival’s market in the morning and then took the chair for the women’s fellowship at St Mary’s Church, while Brian, 81, was attending a Littlehampton Probus Club lunch.

Both committed members of the church, they had their marriage blessed during the Sunday morning service and shared cake and wine with the congregation afterwards, before a celebration meal at their daughter’s home in Worthing.

Mavis and Brian moved to East Preston from their home city of Leeds 15 years ago, having retired by choice on the same day – from careers in nursing and local government, respectively.

They came south to be nearer their daughter, a midwife, after she relocated from Kent to Worthing Hospital.

Both quickly took to village and church life, Brian serving as a churchwarden for seven years and Mavis for three years. They are also members of East Preston Bowls Club and the Angmering-based Foxwood Short Mat Bowls Club.

“We’ve settled in very well and have no regrets about moving down here,” said Brian, who was made a Prior Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, during 44 years’ service with St John Ambulance, while Mavis was appointed as a Serving Sister, with 43 years’ service. They first met as junior members of the first aid group.