Twice wed Fylde coast couple celebrate 60 years of married life

Franc and Mabel Schmidt's ‘double’ wedding took place in Rochdale in 1960, four years after Franc had fled the Hungarian Revolution.

When he and Mabel – who he had met at a youth club in the Lancashire mill town – decided to marry, it was necessary to be wed first in a register office, and then just a few hours later, in the parish church. Civil and religious marriage certificates ensured that, in the future, the couple would have less difficulty returning to visit Franc's homeland.

Franc, 82, had trained as a metal turner in Hungary in the 1950s before the country’s failed uprising against communist Russia. He was one of a quarter of a million people who fled the country, many of them settling in the UK.

His skills led to work in several companies, both in Rochdale and here on the Fylde after the couple moved here in 1966.

Eventually he created his own business Mowercare, but in his spare time his particular talents with intricate clockwork led to him becoming a member of the British Horological Institute. He was one of the team that presented their handmade clock to the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Today she returned the compliment, sending the couple a Royal Greeting to mark their own diamond anniversary.

Mabel, 81, has had several occupations, but will be best known to generations of Poulton schoolchildren as a cheerful dinner lady at several schools in the town. Since retiring the couple have become frequent travellers but due to the pandemic, celebrated at home on Garstang Road, surrounded by wishes from friends and family around the world.

Their life together has, however, been marked by tragedy, with the deaths of both their sons, Ferenc - from cystic fibrosis - and Carl, after a swimming accident. Despite such challenges the couple remain vibrant, adventurous and big-hearted.

As keen ballroom dancers they made the most of Blackpool’s famous dance floors – back in 1959 they were crowned King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Rochdale Carlton Ballroom.

But if marrying twice in two hours isn’t on the cards for other couples, what's their secret to a twinkling union that makes it to the Diamond Anniversary?

Said Mabel: “We’ve always been busy and had something going on in our lives” while Franc added: “Never go to sleep on a disagreement.”

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