Kenneth and Jean Brunskill, of Crosby Garrett, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last weekend, having married on the August bank holiday in 1963.
They tied the knot at Newbiggin-on-Lune Methodist Church a day before Jean’s 18th birthday and their wedding was followed by a honeymoon in Morecambe.
Kenneth was born in Crosby Garrett in 1942 and has lived there all his life, first attending school in the village, then Kirkby Stephen Grammar School when it first opened.
Jean Jackson was born at Weasdale Farm, Newbiggin-on-Lune, in 1945 and went to school in the village before moving to Kirkby Grammar School. There she became friends with Muriel, Kenneth’s sister, and stayed in Crosby Garrett on several occasions.
After leaving school, Kenneth went to work on the family farm at Chapel House, where the couple now live. Meanwhile, Jean worked for Mrs Corder at Weasdale Nurseries.
The young couple became friends again, meeting up at The Rendez-vous, a meeting place for young people after church on Sunday nights.
They started going out together in 1960, and in 1963 there was a very bad snowstorm, resulting in Kenneth being snowed in at Weasdale while visiting Jean. He said: “I’m not travelling out here another winter,” so a few months later they married. They moved into Chapel View in 1965 and have many happy memories of their early married life. In 1969 Michael arrived, followed by Michelle in 1971, which completed their family.
Kenneth’s interests are his family and farming — always showing his Rough Fell sheep and later Beltex at local agricultural shows, as well as Mule gimmer lambs until foot and mouth put a stop to that.
He is a passionate follower of Manchester United Football Club and, closer to home, has become an avid supporter of Kirkby Stephen FC, where his grandson, Josh, is now captain.
Kenneth and Jean follow the team both home and away and have not missed many fixtures.
In earlier years, Kenneth played in the Waitby Cup, a local football competition between neighbouring villages. He was captain of his side for several seasons and competed for an incredible 25 years. Four generations of the Brunskill family have played in the Waitby Cup since 1923 and Josh is now team captain.
Jean’s interests are her family and cooking. She loves to bake and the results are superb. She has always shown off her baking and confectionery skills at local shows and won many prizes and trophies. Now she mainly bakes for the family.
Jean is also a member of the village hall committee, which she has been on for several years, and is always willing to help out on special occasions.
Their son, Michael, now runs the family farm with his son, Josh, while his sister, Michelle, is co-partner of Cumbria Taxis in Penrith.
The couple are both members of the United Church in Crosby Garrett. Kenneth is a steward and Jean is secretary/treasurer.
Jean said married life has not always been easy. It has had its ups and downs, but she and Kenneth usually sort things out before the end of the day. They agree that you should try to work together and be happy with what you have.
