WEDDING day memories were rekindled for a Malvern couple, who celebrated their golden anniversary with the best man, bridesmaid and minister who were at the ceremony 50 years ago.

Heather Ainge married Bryan Judson on Saturday, July 14, 1956, at Christ Church, Malvern.

School friend David Wintle was best man and family friends Wendy Wilstead and Dr Ken Jordan were bridesmaid and Baptist minister.

They all gathered at The Cottage in the Wood, Malvern Wells, for a reunion lunch, along with the couple's children, Kenton and Gayle, and grandchildren, Gabriella, Claudia and Pippa.

Both Mr and Mrs Judson are Malvern born and bred, with Mrs Judson living in Graham Road and Mr Judson in Queen's Drive before their marriage.

They left Malvern soon after marrying to move to London, where Mr Judson was training to be an actuary. They then emigrated to Australia before returning to Malvern 50 years later.

"We've completed the full circle just in time," said Mrs Judson.

The couple met when they were both at school in Worcester and caught the train from Malvern, walking daily from Foregate Street station to their separate schools.

In her youth, Mrs Judson was well-known in Malvern for her part in the local musical theatre scene, particularly her appearances as principal boy in Girls' Training Corps' pantomimes.

A guard of honour made up of members of the Girls' Training Corps greeted Mrs Judson as she came out of the church on her wedding day.

Dr Jordan admitted that it is a rare thing for a minister to attend the golden anniversary of a couple he had married but he has kept in touch with the pair ever since. He was also friends with Mr Judson's parents, Frances and Clem, who were similarly featured in the Malvern Gazette on their golden wedding anniversary.