GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Ralph and Rhona Anglin embrace. - George Henry

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON

There was joy and happiness at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, on the afternoon of Saturday, April 12, as former Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Ralph Anglin and his wife, Rhona, brought family members and special friends together to share in their golden wedding anniversary.

At 2:45 p.m., the couple's younger daughter, Nadine Anglin-Barrett, escorted her mother to her seat on the beautifully decorated platform inside the large hall at the Golf View Hotel to be seated beside her husband of 50 years. She was also in the presence of two Moravian bishops: the Rt Reverend Robert Foster and Stanley Clarke, who presided over the renewal of vows.

The more than 70 specially invited guests were asked to stand by Reverend Stanley Clarke and join in singing O Father All Creating, before Reverend Raymond Seymour was asked to pray. After reading 1 Corinthians 13, the two were asked to renew their wedding vows.

Ralph Anglin told his bride that he rededicated himself to his marriage and to her, while they were now in the 'winter' of their lives. He said there was no one else with whom he would rather spend the rest of his life, as he would love her till the end of time.

Rhona, in turn, told him that he had not only been her husband for 50 years, but also her best friend. She said he was a special gift from God and she publicly reaffirmed her commitment to love and cherish him until the end of time.

Following the renewal of vows, the couple listened to several toasts. This was led by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who also gave an overview as to how Ralph and Rhona met each other.

Patterson, who knew the couple for over 38 years, said they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Nadine and Heather. He described Rhona as an excellent wife, homemaker, an outstanding educator, writer and cook.

"The two complement each other," he said, "and I hope that in 10 years time when they celebrate their diamond anniversary, all will still be around to join Ralph and Rhona in celebrating that milestone," Patterson said.

The former prime minister described the former mayor of Savanna-la-Mar as an excellent husband and father who had devoted his life to his wife and children.

In his toast, chairman of Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, Ryland Campbell, a former student of Ralph's, described the couple as two different people who had something that binds them together. He added that the former mayor has done much for Jamaica and that he is a man of unquestionable integrity.

"It is the love and understanding between them that have made their marriage work over the past 50 years," said Campbell.