What a task, in such a short space of time
To expound on the past 50 years, and in rhyme
But if they can have worked for the last 50 years
I surely can spill some blood sweat and tears
To capture a fraction of what they’ve achieved
And explain how the cause of tonight was conceived
She was nothing more than a young, shy girl
Hardly at ease in a social whirl
Sweet 16 and possibly kissed
But I’m sure there were other things that she’d missed
He was already a man of the world
In the army, life had already unfurled
Twenty-two, when he took that chance
And asked if the young girl wanted to dance
Little did she know, how could she guess
What she was starting by saying yes
Three years later, still just 19
She was a vision to be seen
At Shacklewell Lane, where she said I do
Back in June of 1952
Then, Monty made a commitment for life
To take Barbara for his wife
And all here today can witness now
Just how he’s kept that wedding vow
Seven years on, after several tries
Their nights were disrupted by my cries
I managed to get all the way to two
Before mine were disrupted by little Lou
And suddenly, the young man and his bride
Had become so much more beside
Parents, a job for which there is no training
They took all it threw without once complaining
He, playing and teaching and nursing and sewing
All Monty did there is no knowing
Barbara, she was simply always there
Showering us with love and care
And after we’d flown the homely nest
They’ve kept doing just what they do best
Which is why we’re so glad that they’ve reached this day
And that all of us can be here to say
Congratulations, mazeltov and cheers
And here’s to another 50 years!!!
Joanne Wallen Ross – 15th June 2002
