A CHURCHWARDEN of half a century and his wife will celebrate their diamond wedding tomorrow (Thursday) with a special service in the village church were they have worshipped throughout their married lives.

Gordon and Kathleen Lange, of Slingsby, farmed for 50 years at South Holme Farm in the village.

Mr Lange, a twin, was born in Hartlepool just as the town was being bombarded by the Germans at the start of the first world war - "I arrived six weeks premature because the bombardment put my mother into labour!" - and then his farming family moved first to Staintondale and then to Slingsby.

He left school at 14 and went to work on the farm, eventually going into partnership with his father and subsequently running the business.

"We used to walk stock eight miles to Malton market each week," he said.

Although born in Wales, Mrs Lange has lived in Slingsby for nearly all her 79 years and is well-known for providing afternoon teas to tourists to the village.

She did bed and breakfast for several years at the picture-postcard Fern Cottage and has laid on teas for some 20 years.

Their diamond day celebrations will begin with a thanksgiving service at All Saints, Slingsby, with family and friends before a reception provided by their daughters, Helen and Julia, and sons Paul and Robert.

Mr Lange, 88, played a key part in raising £10,000 when the church roof needed urgent repairs, and while he has stepped down as churchwarden - he was also treasurer for 21 years - and now holds the title of churchwarden emeritus.

The couple have always been active in village life at Slingsby, Mrs Lange being a member of the Mothers' Union, Women's Institute, and the Countrywomen's Association, while for 40 years Mr Lange played Santa Claus at the annual village Christmas fair.

They remember when Slingsby had some 14 farms - today there are three - two butchers, two tailors, a saddler, two blacksmiths and three joiners, and trips to Malton were made by train when the line ran from Gilling to the town. "We were a very self-sufficient community" said Mrs Lange.

The village still has its post office and a farm shop, she added.

In addition to their four children, the couple have 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Updated: 14:57 Wednesday, June 04, 2003