MANY men are guilty of forgetting their wedding anniversaries.
But there will be no excuse for Darren Downes, who marries his long-term girlfriend Catherine Hall later this month.
For the couple’s wedding date shares such a special significance that neither of them will be forgetting it in a hurry.
The couple, who live in Brighouse, are marrying on exactly the same date that both Catherine’s parents and grandparents tied the knot.
And as well as celebrating Darren and Catherine’s special day, the couples will be celebrating their 39th and 63rd wedding anniversaries.
Catherine said: “It’s become quite a family tradition!
“My parents and grandparents are delighted we have chosen August 30 to marry.
“We’ve been together more than 11 years and engaged for two and we wanted to wait until August 30 fell on a Saturday.”
The trend began when Catherine’s grandmother Nell Turner married her grandfather James McCulloch at Salendine Nook Baptist Church on Thursday, August 30, 1945.
Their daughter, Helen McCulloch, then continued the tradition when she married Terry Hall on Saturday August 30, 1969 at St Thomas’s Church in Bradley.
Darren and Catherine are hoping that the date will bring just as much luck for them when they marry in a civil service at Bagden Hall in Scissett.
Helping the couple celebrate their special day will also be their children, Hannah, four, who will be a bridesmaid, and Matthew, two, who will be pageboy.
Catherine’s best friend Melanie Turner will be chief bridesmaid, while the groom’s friend Adrian Wise will be best man.
“My parents and grandparents will be there so it should be a really special day,” said Catherine.
“And I’d love to think Hannah could carry on the tradition in another 20 years or so, but I won’t put pressure on her.”
