London 2012 inspires Winchester - University of Winchester

Alumni News VENTA / Issue 26 / Summer 2012
Twins celebrate Ruby wedding anniversary
Frances Barthorpe (nee Brasher,
Teaching, 1969 to 1972) and Madeline
Drake (nee Brasher, Teaching 1969
to 1972) will be celebrating a very
special anniversary this year with
their husbands. The twins from
Chesterfield will be celebrating 40
years of marriage to David Barthorpe
and John Drake, 42 years after
meeting their future husbands on
campus at King Alfred’s College.
Frances and Madeline came to King Alfred’s
in autumn 1969 and soon after Frances met
David, Madeline also met John. The couples
spent much of their time together and when
it came to announcing their engagements, it
came as no surprise that both couples did so at
the same time. David and John left the College
in December 1971, both being ‘extra entry’
students, but the relationships continued to
bloom and in August 1972 a joint wedding was
held with Mrs Simmonds, the twins’ landlady
who introduced David and Frances, making the
dresses.
The couples have been close throughout their
lives and since getting married have lived in the
same road on two occasions. They have each
had two children and on both occasions the
children were born within two months of each
other, and have spent much of their time in
each others’ company.
Madeline and John now have seven
grandchildren, and son Andrew lives in
Australia. Last year John had an operation for a
thoracic aneurysm and was on life support for
three days. Going into hospital on the twins’
birthday it was not a time to celebrate but
thankfully he made an excellent recovery and
the couples headed to Torquay this year for
their birthdays to celebrate and make up for
the testing time last year.
Frances and David have two grandchildren,
and daughter Louise is getting married in
November so this year marks a big year of
celebrations for the whole family.
Congratulations to Frances, David, Madeline
and John for celebrating such a special
anniversary.
Wedding day 1972
Madeline, Frances, John and David
Venue
Hire
Winchester Student Union is now offering
all alumni half price venue hire.
With three venues to choose from there
is plenty of choice when it comes to
organising a party, awards evening, reunion
and much more. Rates start from just £25
per hour and the bar prices are sure to be
the best available in Winchester.
To enquire or book please contact:
su_ents@winchester.ac.uk
or call 01962 827418 – you will need to
quote your alumni number when booking at
a discounted rate. If you are unsure of this
then please contact the Alumni Office on:
alumni@winchester.ac.uk
or call 01962 827532.
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