Couple who married 50 years ago in Hinderwell, near Whitby, to celebrate golden wedding

A couple who wed 50 years ago in Hinderwell church are to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary at Ellerby Hotel – the same place they had their wedding reception.
By Duncan Atkins
Published 14th Dec 2022, 13:16 BST
Updated 20th Dec 2022, 09:00 BST
Jerry and Wendy Wellington.Jerry and Wendy Wellington.
Jerry and Wendy Wellington.

Jerry and Wendy (nee Randall) Wellington married on December 30, 1972.

Wendy was born in Whitby and grew up in a terraced house at Runswick Bank Top.

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She went to Hinderwell Primary school where her father, Jack Randall, was headteacher – her fame for being an ‘old girl’ of the school has only been exceeded this year by England Lionesses footballer Beth Mead.

Wendy and Jerry Wellington.Wendy and Jerry Wellington.
Wendy and Jerry Wellington.

Wendy attended Whitby Grammar school and went on to train as a speech and language therapist in Leeds.

Her first job took her to Bristol.

Meanwhile, Jerry Wellington was growing up in North East Somerset.

Having gained a place at Bristol University to study Physics in 1967 and after his first degree, he had arranged to be a post-graduate in London.

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Jerry and Wendy Wellington on their wedding day in December 1972.Jerry and Wendy Wellington on their wedding day in December 1972.
Jerry and Wendy Wellington on their wedding day in December 1972.

Fate intervened - Wendy had taken digs in Bristol at Jerry’s Aunty’s house and he offered to help her find a flat in Bristol.

He had no success in this but soon started courting Wendy in 1971.

They realised that they were quite fond of each other but Jerry left for London later that year.

They could not keep apart any longer so in 1972 they arranged to marry, much to the surprise of both sets of parents.

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Jack Randall had planned to buy a new Vauxhall Viva but put this on hold to pay for the wedding and the reception at The Ellerby on December 30.

The sunny day allowed his brothers and other guests to play five-a-side football on Runswick beach.

The day and the reception were a great success – the evening was rounded off in the Bank Top pub and then Wendy and Jerry were whisked off to the Royal Hotel in Whitby.

Wendy and Jerry lived in London for the first ten years of their marriage then moved to Sheffield where Jerry eventually became a professor at the University and Wendy continued her career as a Speech Therapist, becoming a Consultant shortly before she retired.

They have three children and eight grandchildren, all living in Sheffield.

The anniversary celebration will see a total of 16 Wellingtons eating and drinking together.

Related topics:WhitbyPrimary school