Jagdish and Mary Vadgama of Ranulf Court had a surprise visit from the Deputy Mayor Wendy Hillary on Thursday 16th January to congratulate them on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
Jagdish met Mary in 1952 in Whinlaton where she lived and worked as a Nurse. Mary’s mother brought the couple together as she thought Jagdish, who was a very studious person, should have some time off. Jagdish migrated here from Kenya to study dentistry at Durham University, financed by his hard working father, whose main aim in life was to see all his children well educated.
Jagdish and Mary’s first date was a visit to the local cinema and they soon became firm friends – so much so that Mary broke off her engagement with a soldier and she married Jagdish two years later.
The couple have been back and forward to Newton Aycliffe since the 60’s when Jagdish started his dental practice in Faulkner Road.
Prior to that they lived in London and Burnham-on-Crouch and it was a friend of Mary’s, living in Newton Ayclife, who suggested the new town needed another dentist. Jagdish took the opportunity which he says he and Mary never regretted.
In 1973 they moved to Australia, to live with their son, but returned here after a year when Jagdish was employed by the County Council as a School and Care Home Dental Officer, first at Billingham and then from Newton Aycliffe Health Centre (now demolished).
In 1981 he bought premises in Shildon and opened a part time dental surgery which he sold in 1990 when he and Mary decided to retire and move to Walsall to be near another of their sons.
In 2002 they bought a house back in Aycliffe, again to live near another son, Michael, who works in logistics. The couple have four sons, Simon is a Pharmacist, Mark is in Australia working in advertising and Geoffrey is in the Tourist industry.
There are three grandchildren and one great grandchild. The family came together to celebrate the anniversary and Mary and Jagdish will be travelling to Berlin in the summer for their own holiday celebration.
Mary said they’ve had a good life together and are very content in Newton Aycliffe. They travelled the world, met wonderful people in each community they lived and enjoyed rich experiences.
Jagdish and Mary Vadgama (centre) with Deputy Mayor Wendy Hillary and her husband Jed
