A COUPLE who are well-known in Bow and the wider Crediton area have celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary.
It was Monday, September 9, that marked a special day in the lives of David and Thelma Hayman.
David was born in Bow and has not moved out of the village.
He has been a member of Bow Gospel Hall for more than 70 years, and spent 40 years running the family grocery shop – Riddaway's Stores – in the centre of the village.
Thelma was orphaned at two years of age and spent her childhood years in Muller's Orphanage in Bristol.
Her health was seriously hampered by her having Spinal TB, but despite this she went on become a nurse looking after Thalidomide babies at Chailey Heritage Hospital in Sussex.
David and Thelma met at Eastbourne when they both attended some Bible reading/teaching meetings, where a mutual attraction was formed.
Thelma moved to Devon and continued her nursing career at Heavitree Maternity Hospital in Exeter, before they were married on September 9, 1964, making their home in Bow.
A daughter – Christine – was born and she became a missionary in Rwanda for 15 years.
She still regularly returns to Rwanda to continue her work. Christine (Chrissy) married Jano, and they have an adopted son – Mugabo – who is now 18 years-old and about to go to Cardiff University to study aeronautical engineering.
A few years ago Thelma wrote a book of her life entitled “Thelma – A Child of God.”
David is a well-known and respected preacher and Bible teacher throughout the South West, and he has also provided 71 radio broadcasts for Radio Devon's Sunday morning programme.
David and Thelma celebrated their 60 years of marriage with a lunch with family and friends at Bow Gospel Hall on Saturday, September 7.