5 April 2021 - Dot and Simon's Diamond Jubilee
Hello everyone,
You might have already heard that Dorothy and Simon Emblen have just celebrated their Diamond Anniversary. Dorothy – known as Dot to her friends – is one of the few remaining residents who was actually born in the village, back in 1938. At that time Wyndings, built in 1929, was almost the only house along Plaisters Lane. She was taken to school in Dorchester by her mother Joy, who drove her there together with other local children. She remembers having to get out of the car to open the gates which then shut off the Lane. Dot moved away in 1956 to start her orthopaedic nurse training at Alton, later continuing her general training at Westminster. On her days off her mother collected her in the car so she could spend time at home. Then, whilst on holiday at Butlins in Brighton she met Simon, who worked for the London County Council. Romance blossomed and in 1961 they were married in St Andrew’s Church. After honeymooning in St Ives they returned to London where in 1965 son Chris was born, followed by daughter Tessa in 1967. In 1972 they relocated to Wyndings. Simon worked for Portland Council, and jokes that he went from working for the largest Council in the country to working for the smallest - though it did get bit bigger when it later merged with Weymouth. Dot was a Practice Nurse until her retirement. They had many outside interests, both with their gardening, Dot with her painting and flower arranging and Simon with his Freemasonry, but village activities were always an important part of their lives. Dot joined the WI when her mother Joy was the President, and Simon joined the SP Society when it started in 1968 and became Chairman some years later. They were also founder members of the SP Players that same year. The Players performed the works of Thomas Hardy, and later original works written by Simon himself, up until the early 80s. He was very generous with his casting, for even I was allowed to appear, despite my accent. Simon and Dorothy have been blessed with four grandchildren, Matt, Amelia, Kitty and Toby and in November their first great-grandchild, Ava Lily was born. I am sure that I speak for their many, many friends and everyone in the village when I send them our very best wishes and huge congratulations on their long and happy life together.
Chris