Asquith and Veronica Phillips of Palmetto Vale, Smith’s Parish had every conceivable detail planned for the gala celebration of their golden wedding on July 20. They wanted to exploit the commanding view and fresh air of the grand patio at Port Royal Golf Club.As the 200 guests began arriving, so came the torrential rain, the first big storm breaking the drought Bermuda had been experiencing for months. Acky and Ronnie took everything in good spirits, calling the rain showers of blessings and the unintended intimacy, further blessings on a truly good marriage.“After all, haven’t we been praying for rain?” inquired Ronnie, a retired school teacher. She was a popular daughter of well-known labour leader Austin Wilson and his wife. He was a founding member of both the Bermuda Workers Association and the BIU. Asquith was a budding realtor when the couple exchanged vows at St Paul AME Church, Hamilton on July 20, 1961.All but two of the bride’s attendants and groomsmen were at the golden celebration. Matron of honour was Barbara Raynor, and the maids were Valencia Seymour Subair, Joycelyn Wilson Wainright, (dec.), Brenda Henry Blakendel. Best man was Myron Bean; other groomsmen were Thompson Wainwright, Ewart Archibald (dec.) Barrington Montique, and Roderick PearmanThe marriage has produced three children: Karla Phillips, Kelly O’Leary and Katrina Knights, and six grandsons, Korin, Kyler and Kion Knights, Kelon and Kaleb Phillips, and Malachi O’Leary.Family and friends from abroad who were at the gala were Robert and Lessilene Williams and grandson Mason Williams. From England were Jill and Phillipa Sidebottom, who had come for the funeral of their father, Asquith’s brother Gordon Phillips, who passed away after a long illness four days before the celebration. From Scotland came Mrs Helen Chalmers; and from Boston Philip and Roslyn Terry as well as Kymberly, and daughters Austin and Kennedy Moore.