Mary and Kevin Latham of Kendall renew their vows on their 70th anniversary

MARY and Kevin Latham of Kendall enjoyed a very special celebration over the weekend.

Married on 7 January 1956, the couple returned to St John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Kendall to renew their vows on their 70th wedding anniversary.

They were joined by a large group of family and friends to celebrate the milestone.

Mary 91 and Kevin 92, met in primary school in Kendall, with much of their family still local to the area.

Mary told News Of The Area, “we have never really had a fight, and we’ve always been great friends through the years.”

“We’re mainly homebodies now, we like just being together and spending time with all our family.”

As not all the family were able to attend the renewal ceremony, other family events were held late last year with their daughter Therese Pritchard telling News Of The Area, “this has just been so special for all of us.

“Mum and dad are the foundation of who we are.”

They are the proud parents of 10 children, Colin [deceased], Brian, Ron, Judy, Neville, Therese, David, Bernard, Joe, and Bevan.

Over the years, the family has continued to grow, and they are now grandparents to 24 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, with the youngest just 8 weeks old.

Kevin is a well-known local builder, who before retiring in 1991 put four of their sons through building apprenticeships and built St Peter The Fisherman Catholic Church in Laurieton and the preschool alongside it.

Kevin is a long time follower of the Broncos and Mary is renowned for her Christmas cakes, fiercely independent they are living out their days in the house that Kevin built for them.

By Rachael THORPE