Diamond years for couple

A Skegby couple have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with tea, cake and a telegraph from the Queen.
Jack and Ella Hovell of Stanton Hill, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary recently.Jack and Ella Hovell of Stanton Hill, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary recently.
Jack and Ella Hovell of Stanton Hill, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary recently.

Ella Hovell met her husband Jack when calling on his brother.

The 79-year-old Ella said it was a chance coincidence the pair fell in love.

“I used to be friends with Jack’s brother and was calling on him, then one day he wasn’t in and so me and Jack started going out and eventually decided to get married.

“We have six children together, one was still born at seven months, but we have three strapping sons and two daughters,” She said

Between them, Jack and Ella also have 14 grandchildren and three and a half great grandchildren. Ella lived in Oxton before moving to Sutton where she met Jack and the couple have settled for 60 years. On 21st November, they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with homemade cakes made by their daughters Denise and Jackie.

Ella added: “Denise and Jackie made us some beautiful cakes and the telegraph from the Queen was absolutely lovely, it was a really nice day.”

The pair were married at Mansfield Registry Office in 1953. In her early life Ella worked at the Bero Flour Mill in Daybrook. After she was married she then worked at Kingsmill as a supervisor for seven years and Ashfield District Council for six years before retiring.

Jack (82) has lived in Sutton all his life and worked at Silver Hill Pit in Teversal until it was closed in 1968. After their 60 years together, Ella said the secret to a happy marriage was letting the good and bad things bring you closer together. She said: “We have had our ups and downs but I think that helps to bring you closer together. You have to look after one another.”

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