AT the end of June, Elaine and myself joined 60 other friends to share the joint birthdays of Jack Wells and Linda Noble, but none of those present were prepared for a double surprise.

In his introduction and welcome speech 70-year-old Jack announced that he and Linda, 65, had married one month earlier in Gibraltar!

The entire audience, including Jack’s 94-year-old father were absolutely gobsmacked. After the initial shock, they gave them a standing ovation before settling down to a sumptuous meal and lashings of champagne.

Linda has two sons who live in Huddersfield – Andrew who has just graduated from the university – and Matthew.

The second unexpected surprise was from a couple of guests who had travelled from Huddersfield with a group to the party – Alan Mellor and Anne Carroll. They chose this occasion to announce their wedding date, later in the summer. Again, a big surprise for everyone and after the sun drenched six hour bash, the Huddersfield group taxied back to our house for ‘coffee!’

And later, to celebrate their wedding day announcement, Alan and Anne jumped into the pool fully dressed!

Anne has two daughters in Huddersfield – Charlotte who is events manager at Renishaw Hall Gardens in Derbyshire and her youngest daughter, Melissa, is a pupil at Royds Hall High.

Jack and Linda met in Benalmadena 12 years ago and have lived together for most of that time.

Jack, formally from Bradford, was a painter and decorator and as an ex-pro guitarist in a group he entertained on cruise liners and performed in most of the big northern clubs during the 1970s.

Alan is also a self employed painter and decorator in Huddersfield and Anne works in catering in Kirklees.

Eric sings amazing karaoke, he plays and entertains on his keyboard and can walk for miles.

Jack said of his dad: “He really is an extraordinary chap, who we can’t keep still when he comes on his regular trips to Spain.’’