03/10/2013 - Scilly Isles trip for Diamond Wedding pair
A couple from Stroud celebrated their Diamond Wedding with a special trip to the Isles of Scilly – a destination they had always wanted to visit.
Peter and Elizabeth Witts of Fox Close, had never visited the islands because of the difficulty of travelling from their home but thanks to a home pick-up service from West Country coach operators Bakers Dolphin they celebrated 60 years together at their dream holiday spot.
Peter (83) said: "It was Elizabeth's long-standing ambition to visit the Scillies, but it seemed like a tricky journey from Stroud. Bakers Dolphin solved that by collecting us from home by minibus and transferring us to one of their luxury coaches in Bristol for a comfortable trip down to Penzance, and we flew to the Scilly Isles from there."
The pair were introduced to Bakers Dolphins' services by long-standing Kingswood friends, Lynne and Malcolm Selby, who are Bakers Dolphins' regulars.
Elizabeth (81) said: "Our actual anniversary was the day after we arrived in the Scillies. It was such a lovely way to mark our special day."
An anniversary party for 70 friends and family was held on the Saturday before the Witts' holiday. The happy couple requested that instead of gifts cash be donated in support of Cotswold Care Hospice in Minchinhampton, where friends of the Witts have received care. A total of £360 was raised.
"We've always enjoyed a party," says Peter, "and it's lovely to be able to do some good for others at the same time."
In 2003, their ruby wedding party was a fundraiser for the Gloucestershire Chest Fund, in recognition of support given to Elizabeth who has suffered from a lung condition.
The pair have been involved with charity works throughout their married life, including a five-year stint (1999-2004) when they jointly presented a weekly request show on Standish Hospital Radio.
And in the early years of their marriage they were among volunteers who raised money to erect a garage at St Rose's Special School in Stroud for their Variety Club minibus.
In their courting days and early married life, Peter and Elizabeth were huge fans of Joe Loss and other big band leaders, and have enjoyed many a show at Cheltenham Town Hall. For forty years they were also members of the former Berkeley Power Station Social Club.
The Witts have been on the organising end of events too, especially at Minchinhampton Golf Club, where Peter was captain in 1992 and the pair ran many social functions.
Peter and Elizabeth have two children, Angela and Patrick, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"We regularly help to look after the little ones, and that certainly keeps us on our toes," says Elizabeth.
Bakers Dolphin sales and marketing director Amanda Harrington said: "It was lovely to help Peter and Elizabeth celebrate their big day on our ‘Isles of Scilly' tour. We offer home pick-ups throughout the region and many elderly people find they are a great advantage as their holiday starts from their own doorstep."