Hello, on behalf of Janet and I , whilst it may seem hard to believe it is just possible that somewhere out there are some people who don’t know who we are. I was born in Sunderland quite some time ago and first saw Janet, a mere slip of a schoolgirl, when she walked into Park Road Methodist Sunday School in Sunderland one Sunday morning .She was moving to the area having been born and brought up in the south, - Croydon to be exact. Well my fate was sealed from that day on and some six years later we were married and will celebrate our Golden Wedding in September 2011.

Many things have happened along the way: for me one of many memorable events was National Service in the army (1957-1959) for Janet it was to become a mum to our two children David and Jane and eventually for us to become grandparents to Hannah Jane. On the way from then till now, we moved from Sunderland to Preston in 1968 to start up the new catalogue company ‘Peter Craig’, a part of the then Littlewoods group of companies. Incidentally I only came for three months and am still here, having been based in various parts of Lancashire until retirement in 1995. Janet has had a life-long interest in catering, starting when she left school. After a break to get married and subsequently looking after the children until they started school, she then resumed work as a general assistant with the School Meals Service. During her long career there she progressed to become a unit manager. She worked at a number of schools, including Cuthbert Mayne (now Our Lady’s High). Lea Endowed and finally at Harris County Primary School, eventually retiring in 2000.

We have both been actively involved with The Methodist Church in one way or another since early childhood. I have at various times been a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, church steward, church treasurer and currently I am the Treasurer of Preston Methodist Circuit.

Janet has similarly played a very active part in church life at Ingol and more latterly at Fulwood e.g. flower arranging, organising and assisting in catering for church functions and is currently a vestry steward. We did worship at Ingol Methodist Church for many years, however some years ago we transferred to Fulwood where we renewed old friendships and made new friends. Outside of church activities Janet plays a very active role in assisting to run a Mothers and Toddlers Group at St. Martin’s Church Fulwood, and is an active member of The Mothers Union. In addition to all of this and despite having to undergo a number of major operations during the past four years, she manages to look after the Lowes family, especially me. For my part, apart from having an allotment, I have for a number of years been very active in charitable works, particularly to do with the homeless in Preston, i.e. Fox Street Community, G.I.F.T. 92 and was at one period chairman of Emmaus Preston We are very happy here and look forward to many more years at Fulwood, particularly as we all look forward to moving back to the ‘new’ building.

Ted