Wallasey family gets together for first time in 17 years at golden wedding celebration

Feb 11 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

THE last time Peter and Rita Corley saw their six sons together was in 1992, but the family reunited to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

Paul, Raymond, Martin, Derek, David and Kevin Corley were all born within nine years of each other and are now in their 40s.

Despite their closeness in age, their disparate careers have meant that, while they chat regularly on the phone, face-to-face meetings have been few and far between.

Rita, of Croft Drive, Moreton, told the News: “We have seen them all at different times, but not all together.

“Martin, Derek and Kevin have all been in the Royal Air Force (RAF), so have been away in Germany, and two were involved in the Gulf War.

“They’ve been all over the place with the RAF, which meant it was very difficult for us all to get together.”

The last time the family united was for the christening of one of Rita and Pete’s 10 grandchildren, 17 years ago.

And with the youngest son, Kevin, now living in America, the chances of an emotional reunion appeared to be getting slimmer.

But as a special surprise to mark 50 years since the happy couple exchanged vows, the next generation of the Corley family decided to really pull their collective finger out to all be in the same spot at the same time.

Rita said: “We were hearing little bits and pieces, but nothing seemed concrete and we were just waiting to see what was happening.

“We were very, very pleased to see them all together and it was so emotional.

“My son had even come over from the USA, with his wife and children.

“We’re proud of all of them, they’ve all done well for themselves and they’ve all been very good to us.

“They never forget us.”

The reunited Corley family went out for a meal in Heswall to mark the occasion, and toast many more happy years of marriage for Rita and Pete.

But despite the joy shared on the day, Rita isn’t hopeful it will ever happen again.

The retired nurse said: “It was so emotional because we don’t know if we’ll ever all get together again.”