Shocking start to couple's anniversary (From Gazette & Herald)

Shocking start to couple's anniversary

CLIFFORD and Marjorie Walker's golden wedding celebrations were threatened after the shock hi-jacking of their car just days before their big day.

The couple had been in Scarborough's North Marine Road when Clifford stopped to go into a shop, only to step out minutes later to find his car - and wife Marjorie - missing after an opportunist car thief jumped into the driving seat and drove off.

A stunned Marjorie, who is disabled, eventually persuaded the man to stop and let her out of the car. "I just tried to keep calm."

The couple, both in a state of shock, were re-united and their car was found sometime later, undamaged, in Leeds. As a result of the incident, two men have been arrested.

However, the terrifying experience failed to mar their milestone celebrations.

Marjorie has been the Gazette & Herald's correspondent for a dozen villages in the Scarborough area for the past 15 years.

The couple moved to West Ayton 17 years ago where they take a keen interest in village life. Clifford is clerk to both West Ayton and Hutton Buscel parish councils and plays the organ at East Ayton, Seamer, Langdale End churches and St Columba, Scarborough. Marjorie, an accomplished singer, was for many years a member of the Yorkshire Countrywomen's Choir.

Updated: 10:43 Wednesday, March 05, 2003