Golden couple met at Gorleston amusements
A TRIP to the amusement arcade proved to be a window into the soul of a Gorleston girl who found the man of her dreams sitting on the window sill.
Marion Butcher, 70, (n�e Roberts) had gone out with her friend Valerie Frosdick on one of their regular visits to Gorleston seafront in 1958 when she saw Arthur Butcher, 76 sitting on the window sill at Watsons amusement arcade.
The 17-year-old instantly fell in love with the “curly, blond haired man” and the couple have remained inseparable ever since and will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today.
“I just saw him sitting there and I said to Valerie, ‘who is that sitting there on the window sill?’ We were attracted to each other instantly; it was definitely love at first sight,” she said.
But Arthur had to ward off the attention of one of his friends who was also interested in Marion.
The couple spent their courtship going to the cinema at the Coliseum in Gorleston or attending dances at Gorleston’s Floral Hall. They married at St Andrew’s Church in Gorleston on July 29, 1961.
Former Alderman Leach High School pupil Arthur became a builder working for Robert Chaston before becoming a maltster at the Maltings in Yarmouth, where he brewed Guinness, until his retirement 17 years ago.
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Marion attended Gorleston Girls School before working for retailer Woolworths and then at the Erie Resistor factory, where she was in production control.
The couple have two children, Nigel, 47 and Gary, 45 and four grandchildren and initially lived in Frederick Road, Great Yarmouth after getting married.
They have since moved to Dorothy Avenue, Bradwell where they will be celebrating their golden wedding with a garden party for family and friends today.
Their passions include travelling (to Canada, America, Italy and Turkey among other places) and gardening. Marion is also a member of Gorleston Baptist Church and does voluntary work in the community.
Marion said: “We have had our ups and downs like any married couple. If we argue, we never go to bed without having said sorry. I think it is important to be aware to give each other your own space as well.”
