'We've always been a team' - village stalwarts celebrate 65 years of marriage
Les and Janice Hornby celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on August 2 (Image: Supplied)
A couple who have spent decades at the heart of their community in North Yorkshire have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Les and Janice Hornby wed in Kirk Hammerton - a small village outside York - on August 2, 1961.
For 65 years, they have been side by side - joined in their faith and commitment to village life.
RECOMMENDED READING:
"We have always been a team.
"I would not have been able to do anything that I have achieved without her", Les said.
The couple wed at Kirk Hammerton Parish Church in 1961
(Image: Supplied)
Their journey began after Les returned to his home village following his military service in Kenya.
He said: "I had come back to greet everyone at the amateur dramatics society, and Janice, who had moved with her family to the village in 1958, was a member.
"We met - and the rest you can say is history."
The young couple, both 22, married in Kirk Hammerton Parish Church and began their life together in Llandaff, Cardiff.
There, Janice taught at Llandaff Cathedral Prep School, while Les worked in the Civil Service.
The pair spent three happy years in Wales before moving back to Hammerton - where Les, Janice and other family members ran the Hammerton Hotel - now Benson's furniture store - until 1974.
The business was soon followed by a daughter Amanda and son Jeremy - and later five grandchildren.
Over the course of their marriage, Les and Janice became pillars of their community - devoting themselves to multiple local causes, including the running and upkeep of the Methodist Chapel, the cricket club, village hall and playing fields.
To this day, their home is visited multiple times by villagers wishing to buy the daily newspapers.
A monthly village newsletter is also written and delivered to local homes by Les.
Speaking about this, he said: "Janice and I ran the village shop until 2008.
"After it closed, we made a commitment to keep selling the newspapers from our home.
"It was a way to keep Kirk Hammerton connected - somewhere where people could come, collect the papers and have a chat.
"Even today, I can't cook bacon early in the morning because once it's in the pan, it's reduced to cinders by the time I get back after chatting with someone."
He added: "But that's what Janice and I wanted."
The pair's enduring love was celebrated at the Oaklands Nursing Home in Kirk Hammerton on their wedding anniversary.
Les said: "I wanted to give all the carers and staff a very special mention.
"They went above and beyond that day - it was brilliant."
The care home gifted Janice and Les with a card filled with heartfelt messages - opening up its space to the couple's loved ones for the celebration.
Les added: "Oaklands has been so supportive of us. We can't thank the staff enough for everything they have done."