Surprise 'doorstep' celebration to mark landmark anniversary for gem of a Burnley couple

The pandemic put paid to a Burnley family's plans to throw a huge party to celebrate a special wedding anniversary.
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And while Geoff and Dorothy Butcher thought they would be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary very quietly, their family had other ideas.

They secretly arranged for family, friends and neighbours to arrive outside their house laden with gifts, cards, presents and flowers last Thursday evening.

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They all waited outside, observing social distancing rules, ready to clap and cheer after a phone call was made to the couple asking them to collect a gift that had been left for them outside.

A doorstep party with family, friends and neigbours was the surprise in store for Diamond Wedding couple Geoff and Dot Butcher.A doorstep party with family, friends and neigbours was the surprise in store for Diamond Wedding couple Geoff and Dot Butcher.
A doorstep party with family, friends and neigbours was the surprise in store for Diamond Wedding couple Geoff and Dot Butcher.

The devoted couple, who have three children and eight grandchildren, were lost for words to see all their nearest and dearest friends and relatives popping champagne corks and party streamers in their honour.

Dorothy, who is 85 and affectionately known as Dot, said: "We never expected anything like this.

"What a wonderful surprise this is and even though we can't really celebrate properly together this is the next best thing."

The couple met at a dance hall in Whalley.

Geoff and Dot on their wedding day with Dorothy's sister Margaret (left) and Geoff's niece Jennifer, as bridesmaids.Geoff and Dot on their wedding day with Dorothy's sister Margaret (left) and Geoff's niece Jennifer, as bridesmaids.
Geoff and Dot on their wedding day with Dorothy's sister Margaret (left) and Geoff's niece Jennifer, as bridesmaids.
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Dot, who is originally from Blackburn, was impressed with the fact that Geoff offered her a lift home in his 'vehicle,' but her face fell when she had to 'share' the ride home with a load of aerials that Geoff used for his job as an rigger.

But it must have been love at first sight, as Dot agreed to let Geoff take her out the next day and they were tying the knot nine months later.

After a cottage honeymoon in Wales the couple lived in Nelson and Padiham before moving to their present home in Burnley where they have been for over 50 years and brought up their children, son Andrew and daughters Tracy and Janet.

Both have enjoyed a series of jobs throughout their lives but Geoff, who is 86, continued to work mainly as an aerial rigger and many people may remember Dot as an auxiliary nurse on the Edith Watson maternity unit at Burnley General Hospital.

Geoff and Dot tuck into their afternoon tea treat for their Diamond wedding anniversary.Geoff and Dot tuck into their afternoon tea treat for their Diamond wedding anniversary.
Geoff and Dot tuck into their afternoon tea treat for their Diamond wedding anniversary.
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As part of their celebrations the couple's family arranged for afternoon tea to be delivered to them from Mooch Cafe 87 in Padiham along with a special bouquet of flowers from their favourite florist Milly Davey.

With one great granddaughter and another one due in July, the Butchers' advice for a long and happy marriage is never to go to sleep on an argument.

And as Geoff joked the phrase 'yes dear' can sometimes come in handy to keep the peace!