Couple celebrating 70 years of marriage visited by the Mayor

Frank and Ruth Rudd with Mayor of Rochdale Mohammed Zaman

Frank and Ruth Rudd celebrated 70 years of marriage with their platinum wedding anniversary on Tuesday 5 June.

To make the celebrations even more special, the couple, aged 93 and 92, were visited at their home by Mayor of Rochdale, Mohammed Zaman, who gifted them flowers as a celebration of their love.

Mayor Zaman said: “I had the honour of visiting a beautiful couple with a bouquet of flowers for their 70th wedding anniversary.

“Frank served for the British army in India and remembers the riots and the making of Pakistan and India into independent states, after the British left India. He said that whilst he was there he was caught in riots in Calcutta and was badly injured.

“They shared with me their love of gardening, going out together, meeting friends and enjoying nice food.

“When I asked them to share the secret of their everlasting loving relationship and healthy marriage, they both looked at each other, smiled and said it is all about patience, tolerance and trust, that is what kept us together in a good relationship.

“They are both in good health, looking after each other and enjoying their time together.

“Love captured them, amidst sympathy and warm feelings that developed into a lifelong relationship."

Frank and Ruth met in 1948 at Sedgefield Community Hospital, where Frank arrived with injury from the war and was looked after by Ruth. At the time, Ruth was a nurse in the hospital where she cared for injured soldiers after war.

After they married, they settled in Rochdale – Frank’s hometown - where he served all his working life in the stainless-steel fabrication industry.

Ruth was a school cook for many years at High Birch School, Rochdale which closed in early August 2007.

They have one daughter, Jean, and have a granddaughter, who recently completed her degrees.

They are looking forward to attending her wedding later this year.