Close couple looking back on 70 happy years together

16 August 2017

THEIR paths first crossed as children in the 1930s during their daily walk to Inch school.

Growing up on farms just a mile apart, Eddie Hayes and Kathleen Ball often arrived at school together before parting to go to their different classes.

Two of the lucky ones, they had a relatively short distance to walk compared to some classmates and they were also fortunate to have proper shoes.

Childhood friends, their romance only began when they began to socialise as teenagers at local dance halls.

Seven decades and four generations later, the couple are now preparing to celebrate 70 years of marriage.

It was a warm and sunny day when Eddie and Kathleen made their vows at Inch Church on August 19, 1947, supported by Kathleen’s colleague as bridesmaid, May Orr, and Eddie’s late brother Jim.

Travelling to Belfast beforehand to buy a blue dress for the ceremony, Kathleen says she remembers being slightly nervous as family and friends arrived to enjoy the day with them.

Their wedding album shows a beaming couple outside their local church, and further relaxed pictures a few days later in Portrush where they honeymooned thanks to a lift from a neighbour who they say owned one of the few cars in the area in that post-war time.

Returning to Inch to set up home, they went back to their jobs in Downpatrick — Kathleen working at Ervine’s drapery, later to become Coburn’s, and Eddie serving behind the counter at OD Hamilton’s, bedside the Down Recorder building, which he said was considered “the best grocery shop in the area” with the finest hams, cheese and meat.

During his 30 years at Hamilton’s, he said he got to know many local people, arranging for their food to be delivered, a practice that he notes has been revived in recent years with the growing popularity of online shopping and home delivery services.

“It was a different time, there was not much money around and no big pay,” he said.

Cycling to work for many years, Eddie said life became much easier when they got their first car, although Kathleen admits she never learned to drive after a friend “scared the wits out of her” during her first lesson.

With three children, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, the Hayes’ are modest about the secrets to a long marriage.

“We get on well,” says Eddie.

“We do get on alright,” agrees Kathleen, “And he sometimes does what he is told.”

“He can’t cook though. I always say if anything happens to me he will need a new cook. We enjoy traditional simple food, potatoes, meat and veg.”

Kathleen, who celebrated her 90th birthday last week, is equally unsure about the secrets to their healthy

old age.

However, she believes 93 year-old Eddie’s love for gardening helps him relax, which is particularly important after he suffered three heart attacks 30 years ago.

They also enjoyed, as a couple, afternoon matches at Downpatrick Cricket Club and social evenings afterwards, including an occasional glass of wine.

“I used to smoke a pipe but gave that up years ago,” says Eddie

As the couple quietly look forward to their Platinum anniversary, they recall in good humour the reason they

were attracted to each other over 70 years ago.

“He is not hard to be with,” says Kathleen, while Eddie is very clear: “She was happy, very happy,” he said.

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