Newspaper Article 1995 – Partners throughout life

MARION and Ken Kiddle … celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary today.

Partners throughout life

In 1945, Ken Kiddle married his best mate’s sister, whose mother made good scones and chocolate cake. Today he and his wife Marion celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

The couple, who were in the same class in primer four, used to bicycle about together as children, and began seeing each other as more than friends at university.

They were married in Knox Church in Lower Hutt in 1945, with hockey sticks forming an arch outside the church, representing their sporting interest. They settled in Hawke’s Bay in 1956.

Mrs Kiddle, who was a zoology lecturer, and Mr Kiddle, an industrial chemist, decided running an orchard was something they could be involved with together and nearly 40 years later they are still living and working on their Havelock North orchard.

Mr Kiddle, 73, attributes the success of their marriage to living in the country, having lots of children and a bit of space. Mrs Kiddle, also 73, said selflessness was a key factor in a marriage.

The couple, who have five children and 16 grandchildren, celebrated today with their family in the Akarangi Winery near their home.