More of your Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

Jodie Smith was presented to the queen in Bromley, Kent — she’s the shortest soldier in the line-up on the right

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Queen’s message for diamond duo
THE Diamond jubilee celebrations had added sparkle for Gerard and Hilda Summersgill.

The musical couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Friday and received a congratulatory message from the Queen.

The pair, of Turfland Avenue, Royton, married at St Anne’s RC Church, Greenacres, where they still attend Sunday mass.

Mr Summersgill (87), who served with the RAF in South Africa and India during the Second World War, is a church reader and eucharistic minister.

An active member of the local circle of the Catenian RC charitable organisation, he was chamberlain for several years.

He was an education welfare officer for Tameside Council while Mrs Summersgill (80) was an infant teacher at Norman House Prep School.

The couple have two daughters, Christine and Clare, and three grandchildren — Liam, Danielle and Elizabeth.

They have appeared together in many operatic and dramatic productions, including Oldham Youth Operatic Society in 1940s and later in St Patrick’s Operatic and Dramatic Society. Both have sung in many church choirs and were part of the massed choirs for Pope John Paul’s visit to Heaton Park.

They have also been leaders at Fitton Hill and Holt’s youth clubs for more than 15 years.

Daughter Christine Maymon said: “They are inseparable.”


AS part of the jubilee celebrations, Jodie Smith, from Royton, was presented to the Queen in Bromley, Kent.
Staff sgt Smith (31) joined the Army aged 17 and is currently serving with The Royal Logistics Corps.

Her family was proud to see the Queen present the former Royton and Crompton School pupil with two commendations for her work abroad.

She has successfully completed tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

Currently she is working to recruit Army soldiers in London before she goes back to Afghanistan.


Many more Diamond Jubilee stories in tonight’s print and eChron editions — and see loads more pictures from local events on our “buy a photo’ tab, above.
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