Former Gazette snapper's golden day

10:10am Wednesday 31st December 2008

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Former Gazette photographer Bernard Workman and his wife Pat, who celebrated their golden wedding on Saturday, held their party two months earlier so not to have a Christmas clash.

“We couldn’t have expected people to travel at Christmas,” said Mrs Workman, 71.

They welcomed nearly a hundred guests, from near and far, to a pre-anniversary party at the Memorial Hall two months before their big day. “And it was wonderful,” said Mrs Workman.

Although they were born and raised in Worcester, Wootton Bassett, where they settled 40 years ago, is definitely home.

Mr Workman, 73, was well known throughout the area as a newspaper photographer with Wiltshire Newspapers, serving the Gazette and the former Evening Advertiser for 26 years.

He and his wife were engaged before his posting to the Far East, in 1956, for National Service in the RAF photographic section. On their wedding day, December 27, 1958 the bridegroom’s arm was in plaster, after a motorcycle accident.

The couple had three sons.

Mrs Workman joined the Wootton Bassett Townswomen’s Guild, where she is still active.

Mr Workman was charter president of Wootton Bassett Lions in 1974, and was involved for many years in the Lions May Fayre at Lydiard Park and the annual Christmas carols float. He is now a member of Wootton Bassett Probus, of which he was the 28th president, 2006-2007.

Mrs Workman joined Social Services and was a home help for ten years, and worked at the Lorna Doone Day Centre in Wootton Bassett for 20 years.

Mr Workman worked as a freelance photographer including seven years with the RAF Lyneham. He finally set aside his camera when he was 70.