Daily bicycle commute was the start of 60-year marriage
AS MARGARET cycled past the Moullin family cycle shop, on her way to work at Creasey’s, she caught the eye of the young man working inside.
It was the start of a love story that would span decades. And today they are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
Margaret and David Moullin had hoped to spend their diamond anniversary having a special afternoon tea at Les Cotils. But the couple, aged 85 and 88 respectively, have been staying safely at home in recent weeks, in line with Public Health advice.
Mrs Moullin said while they were disappointed not to be sharing the event with friends and family, she hoped they would be able to hold a bigger celebration once restrictions were eased.
The couple first met when they were in their early 20s.
Mrs Moullin was living at Richmond Corner and would cycle to Town each day along the front, passing T. G. Moullin and Sons at Longstore – Mr Moullin’s father’s business.
They started to look out for each other and wave. Then Mrs Moullin had to pop in to get her bicycle tyre pumped up, which Mr Moullin did for free.
‘My father-in-law told him off because he did not charge me,’ Mrs Moullin said. ‘He should have charged me 6d.’
They were introduced formally by Mr Moullin’s brother at a local cycle club when Mrs Moullin was 23.
‘We just clicked,’ she said. ‘It was right at the start that I realised we were right for one another.’
They started by going regularly to the 5pm showing at the Regal Cinema and got to know each other.
They dated for a year before getting engaged.
A year later they married at La Chaumiere Catholic chapel, which used to stand on Rue Piette and was opposite Mr Moullin’s home.
Mrs Moullin wore a white dress and the weather was lovely. However, the wind kept lifting her veil. They managed to get away the same day for their honeymoon in Bournemouth.
When they came back, Mr Moullin focused his energy on the family bicycle shop, which used to be where China Red now is. They sold the business in 1988.
Since then they have focused their attention on their garden and on travel. Mrs Moullin said they had enjoyed visiting Australia, but Canada was their favourite destination. For their golden wedding anniversary 10 years ago they visited Venice.
They have been staying safe at home in recent weeks, with their nephew helping to keep them stocked with food. Mrs Moullin said she was looking forward to seeing her three godchildren when restrictions were lifted.
She said she still loved her husband very much, after all these years.
‘I think because we haven’t got children, it has made us very close indeed,’ she said. ‘We have had a wonderful marriage.’
