Councillor Carol Wardle and husband Christopher celebrate golden wedding anniversary

Christopher and Carol Wardle

Councillor Carol Wardle and her husband Christopher are celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss on Saturday 19 September.

The couple who live on a farm in Birch, Heywood first met 55 years ago when Carol’s sister Jenny was courting Chris’ brother, Geoff.

Carol was from Edgeley, Stockport, and Chris from Blackley, Manchester. They married in Stockport in 1970 and set up home on a farm in Bowlee, Middleton, where Chris was the farm manager. They have four daughters, Beverley, Gaynor, Lauren and Kirsty, and four grandchildren, William, Chloe, Sophie and Daniel.

Carol, who has always had a passion for politics, stood for council once her daughters had grown up and has been one of the councillors in the Hopwood Hall Ward since 2002. She was the Mayor of Rochdale between 2014-15 and is currently the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Housing.

Chris purchased farmland in Birch, Heywood, in 1986 and built a smallholding and house, where the couple have lived since 2000. He continues as an active farmer, although he has slowed down a little over recent years.

Whilst very different individuals, with very different interests, the couple have supported each other to achieve their dreams throughout their wedded life and remain very much in love.

Although the covid pandemic has put a stop to their planned celebrations, they will still pop open a bottle of bubbly and toast the last 50 years and the years that are yet to come.