Richard and Dorothy reach Platinum

Richard and Dorothy Swindell, a couple who have given a lifetime of service to Risley Independent Methodist Church celebrated seventy years of married life on the 6th June as they reached their Platinum Wedding Anniversary. Due to declining health, the couple moved to Lincolnshire in 2011 to be closer to their daughter Carol and now attend Navenby Methodist Church.

Richard was born in what had been Risley’s old chapel after it had been converted into a pair of semi-detached houses. He had served the church holding many different offices including Vice-President, Chief Steward and Elder. Richard was ever present whether at the Chapel, Men's Fellowship, Prayer Meeting and Bible Study.  Dorothy had been the Church Organist and Choir Mistress for over twenty-four years and had also served as President of the W.A.

The couple first met at Sunday school and from that point on Richard only had eyes for Dorothy. He also believes that his mother played her part in bringing them together by purchasing a piano for a home where nobody played and then inviting Dorothy along to play! They celebrated their anniversary with their four children and fourteen grandchildren and received a card from the Queen to mark the occasion.