A SOUTH Somerset lady has celebrated her diamond anniversary at her care home, 24 years after her parents also marked the 60-year milestone in the same place.

Maud and Norman Pipe held a hymn service to celebrate the great landmark at Burnworthy House, in South Petherton, last Friday.

Nicholas Norman Pipe married childhood sweetheart Winifred Maud Snook in 1959 at Kingsbury Episcopi church.

They had three bridesmaids dressed in the red velvet dresses and Maud’s dress, which was on show on Friday, was made by a local lady.

Maud is now a day-care resident at Burnworthy and, together with Norman, is a popular member of the South Petherton community.

Jaine Thorne, of Burnworthy House, said: “Norman, South Petherton born and bred, was a shepherd and farmhand for years until the farm in Hays End closed.

“He worked at Merriott Mouldings, Minsterstone Ilminster and then at Branston, the potato place, until he retired.

“Maud was a glover, first in the glove factory at Kingsbury Episcopi and then, when she got married, she had a machine and worked from home.

“They had two children, Mark and Sarah Louise, and they have two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.”

The Reverend Philip Wagstaff, minister of the Methodist Church in South Petherton, conducted the celebrations on Friday and attendants sang the same hymns as they had had at Maud and Norman’s wedding 60 years before.

Norman and Maud cut the anniversary cake and they were presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers bought by the residents and staff.

Louise, their daughter, who was also there on the day, said: “It was a lovely morning made all the more special for my parents by the amazing turnout of residents who had made the effort to come and wish them well.”

She particularly thanked everyone at Burnworthy for making her parents feel so special and the Rev Philip Wagstaff for his kind words.

As well as cake, those who turned out also enjoyed a glass of bubbly to toast the special occasion.