Newspaper Article 1993 – Trust one marriage secret

Trust one marriage secret

Tolerance, trust and loyalty are attributes Waipukurau farming couple Charlie and “Isa” Anderton say helped them through 50 years of marriage.

The Mangatarata pair celebrated their gold wedding on Saturday, looking back on years punctuated by the war, farming and dog trials.

Mr Anderton is an “addicted” dog trialist.

The Andertons spent some of the day with friends they met during years of dog trials.

A family lunch was held yesterday.

Mr and Mrs Anderton were married at St Mary’s Church, Waipukurau. Both were born in Hawke’s Bay – Mr Anderton is from Kereru and Mrs Anderton from Raukawa.

They met in the early part of the Second World War and were married before Mr Anderton headed overseas in the Army for active service in the Middle East and Europe including the Battle of Monte Cassino.

He was later awarded the Military Medal.

He returned home to a farm on Drumpeel Rd, and later moved to Carlyon, on Farm Rd.

By then, Mr and Mrs Anderton had a family of three – Ross Neil and Judy.

In 1980 they moved to Mangatarata Station, forming a farming partnership with son-in-law Donald MacDonald [Macdonald].

Mrs Anderton has been involved in golf, bridge, and mah-jong and Mr Anderton devoted himself to ‘his dogs and trials.

He has won many championships, including winning a national title, and holds a New Zealand record for winning with all four dogs at a Kumeroa event.

Mr and Mrs Anderton said 50 years of marriage had had “its ups and downs”, but maturity and reconciliation built a strong relationship.

Photo caption – Mr and Mrs Anderton at their Mangatarata home.