Local Lady awarded Degree 60 years later

The surprise Certificate

Amateur Dress making Joan, Sybil & Ann

Joan in Hawaii 1975

A tale of a mixture of sorrow and of joy .

Some background. In 1956, I was called up to serve my Two Year national service. Thinking I should try for a challenge, and on reporting to the Recruitment Offices in Liverpool as per letter of instruction, I went to the top floor to seek to sign on for the Fleet Air Arm . And was successful.

Time goes by and one day in 1957, my pal Frank Cleary, serving in Malaysia with the RAF, contacts me to invite me to his brother's wedding. Says he has a girl lined up!

On June 1st, all goes well. I borrow a suit and a shirt and catch the bus to the reception in Litherland, Liverpool.

I see Joan, who was going out with my pal. Woo her and win her from Frank.

Now to the meat of my piece. In 1958 after being de-mobbed, I went on bended knee – after asking permission of her mother – to ask Joan to be my bride. She accepted, but decided a year or so later that wished to go to college to study on a teaching course of 3 years.

She studied at CF Mott training college in Knowsley, along with two friends. Sybil and Ann.

1962 and Joan is awarded her success. And posted to primary school in Litherland.

We marry in 1963, buy house in Burscough as that is all we can afford at £2700.

And now – this week – I receive a letter addressed to Joan. And she is awarded a BA -- Education!!

From The John Moore's University. A wonderful letter addressed to my Joan. A very emotional morning today as I open the envelope addressed to Joan – with her maiden name Kincla.

I feel so so proud for her. And my three sons too so proud for their mum.

Attached are her certificate, and photos from those days at college.

She is with her friends as they had entered a dress making event, with all three girls in the ones they had sewn -- by hand. Sybil and Ann. Who all became Joan's bridesmaids, in dresses that Joan made herself. We had no funds in those days. My wedding car was an Armstrong Siddely Saphire I bought for £40! No honeymoon. My suit was £4.19s.11d from Burtons. Carried Joan over the threshold of our little dormer bungalow

And another beautiful photo of Joan when we were in Hawaii in 1975.

In all this granting of a degree to Joan, I am in deep deep debt to Eleanor Liles, a friend hereabouts and a past colleague of ours in ADAS. She got the whole thing rolling a year or so ago. And succeeded.

As I say, a slice of life. For my wonderful Joan, who sadly died suddenly 22 years ago. Sybil and Ann are also now dead .

Ralph Warburton