Hellesdon couple celebrates 60 years of marriage

Jean and John Drane at the wedding of their son Michael and his wife Pauline.

Emma Knights Wednesday, April 1, 2015 5:54 PM

A diamond couple from Hellesdon is celebrating 60 years of happy marriage.

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John and Jean Drane wed on April 2 1955 and they have spent their entire married life living at Drayton Wood Road, in Hellesdon.

Mr Drane, originally from Norwich and whose childhood home had its roof blown off during the Blitz, served with the Royal Engineers and the Royal Signals for his National Service, while Mrs Drane, originally from Ferryhill, County Durham, joined the General Post Office (GPO) as a telephonist.

Her job took her to Lincoln where she met Mr Drane through their respective jobs in communications - the couple flirted on the phones for a while before arranging a blind date at the Drill Hall in Lincoln in 1951.

Two years later they got engaged, and they married in 1955.

Mr Drane started a career as an electrician, before moving to Barnards, in Salhouse Lane, and then joining Norwich Union where he worked in the public relations department and was involved with the sponsorship and advertising of national sporting events and other big events.

He became known as the man with a bugle, when he became the post horn blower and mail guard for the Royal Mail coach and horses which Norwich Union sponsored.

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Hellesdon couple celebrates 60 years of marriage