Arundel couple known for long-standing support of National Garden Scheme celebrate 65th wedding anniversary

Mike and Elizabeth Gammon have lived in the town for 50 years and regularly open the garden of their home in Birch Close as part of the National Garden Scheme.

Although they were not able to have a big celebration, the couple, who have three children, were able to have a small lunch gathering to mark their blue sapphire wedding on March 31.

Mike said: “We’re still going reasonably strong, still living in Arundel now with seven great-grandchildren.

“Difficult to celebrate due to Covid but three children came for outside lunch on Good Friday, larger do will have to wait like everything else.”

Mike spent 20 years in the RAF before becoming a teacher, ending his career as deputy head at Walberton and Binsted Primary School.

Elizabeth worked in the library before lecturing on flower arranging and becoming a keen gardener, using her artistic flower-arranger’s eye and wide plant knowledge to create her vision.

The third-of-an-acre garden is a gladed woodland haven, backed on three sides by woods, on the edge of Arundel.

Elizabeth has used colour themes to build a peaceful effect with some ‘wow’ factors.

Mike describes himself as the pruner, mower and hedge trimmer.

He said: “Elizabeth is very much the gardener - certainly helps to keep her going. My interests to keep me fit are golf and orienteering.”

Mike is a member of Southdowns Orienteers and was a British champion in the 2017 Festival of Orienteering, known as the JK.