Mr and Mrs Pitcher – Golden Wedding Anniversary

We would like to wish one of our lovely wedding couples, Mr and Mrs Pitcher a very happy 50th Wedding Anniversary. Ken and Shirley held their wedding reception at the Duke on Saturday 13th September 1969 following a ceremony at St Augustine Church in Plymouth.

Some of you will remember our Past Couples event in 2016, where we invited couples back to the hotel to enjoy a cream tea whilst reminiscing about their special day. We contacted Mr and Mrs Pitcher at the time and although they were sadly not able to attend, they did share details of their day along with some photographs.

“Our reception room was beautifully presented, and the meal was enjoyed by one and all. A trio of musicians played in the background. I (Shirley) had always imagined that if and when I married, I would have a reception at the Duke of Cornwall and have a photograph taken on the beautiful and grand staircase. I can vividly recall Ken’s words at the time, ‘do we really have to pose like this?’, as you will see, I won that one!

We were due to leave the hotel to begin our honeymoon in Brixham, but preparations for changing to go away were delayed when I discovered the keys to my case, which was in one of the hotel rooms, had been left at home. My Matron of Honour was duly driven off to retrieve the keys. Departure for the honeymoon took place in a vehicle which had been wrapped in goodness knows how many loo rolls, provided by the hotel staff. I have always wondered whether the hotel manager knew about this!

The memories of our wonderful day are still in mind all these years later. We hope the Duke of Cornwall hotel will continue to prosper in the future carrying on many years of tradition for the city of Plymouth.”

We wish Mr and Mrs Pitcher all the best for the future and many more happy years of marriage.