Cliodhna Dempsey’s letter (Bridal bucket is the best wedding gift, 26 May) brought back the happiest of memories. In July 1968 I was 21 years old, on the last day of my first year of teaching in Hampshire, and due to be married eight days later. My lovely class of first-year juniors, at final assembly, presented me with a huge laundry basket. Then each of the 42 children came up to put something in it: dusters, dishcloths, pegs, tin opener, washing-up brush, dustpan, tea strainer, teaspoons, slotted spoon, wooden spoons – an abundance of very thoughtful and useful gifts.
The long pink ribbon to tie everything inside the basket proved invaluable: that evening, driving 110 miles to visit Tim, my fiance, the bonnet of my Austin A35 van flew up and I used the ribbon to tie the bonnet catch to the radiator grille to safely finish the journey. Nearly 57 years later, and after racking up 74 years of teaching between us, we remain happily married and still use some of the surviving items.
Vivienne Seakins
Rugby, Warwickshire
• My sister’s 1981 wedding present list included a toilet roll holder, a “lavatory cleaning set – green”, 13-amp plugs and pan scrubs. She is still happily married, with the cleaning set and holder still in use.
Andrew Keeley
Warrington, Cheshire
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