The couple met at a wedding in Longworth in 1950, when George was doing his RAF National Service in Abingdon.

Jean, one of the Bride’s sisters, ‘caught his eye’ and not long after George turned down a posting to Gibraltar and the chance of a good career in the RAF so that he could be with Jean.

They married one year later Saturday, June 16 at St Mary’s Parish Church in Longworth.

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Jean with sisters Mary and Ruby (Jean is between the two) and their mother Sybil in the Hop fields in Southmoor (Image: Ann Muir)

When asked what their recipe for a long and happy marriage was, they said “Compromise, understanding, humour, allowing each other space to pursue separate interests and never going to bed on an argument.”

They began married life in Aberdeen, George’s home city, but Jean, who had never left Oxfordshire prior to their wedding, struggled with the weather and the ‘unfamiliar Aberdeen dialect’.

They came back south, initially to Longworth to live with Jean’s parents, but when their son, Ian, was born in 1954 they moved to Southmoor.

In 1960 they completed their family with the arrival of their daughter, Ann in 1960.

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George and Jean Mitchell today (Image: Ann Muir)

George worked in the MG car factory in Abingdon until it closed in 1980 causing him to go back into building, this time with Alec Cantwell’s company in Standlake where he worked until his retirement.

Meanwhile, Jean had gone to work at Longworth Hospital and, when that closed in 1981, she commuted daily to Witney Community Hospital until her retirement in 2012 at the age of 80.

This meant that she had to learn to drive, no mean feat for a lady in her fifties, but she passed the test on her first attempt.

For a while in the 1960s both had evening jobs at the Lamb & Flag in Longworth, a very popular restaurant at the time, although many carousing Oxford Students, who regularly frequented the establishment, dubbed it with the unofficial title of “Dirty Dudley’s” which was how, locally, it was commonly known.

George (front row, 2nd from right) in Longworth football team (Image: Ann Muir)

In his younger days, George helped out with the Longworth Scout Group and played football for both Longworth and Kingston Bagpuize becoming a successful manager of the latter for a time.

Their family has grown over the years and they now have three grandchildren, Katie, Alex and Catherine, and two great grandchildren Beatrice, who is five years old, and Max, who is two.

The family are holding a party at the Merry Miller pub on Cothill Road in Abingdon and are expecting over 60 guests are the celebration, including George’s family from Scotland.

Tony Hadley rose to international fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of new wave band Spandau Ballet, delivering iconic hits including True, Gold and Through The Barricades.

The 65-year-old is renowned for his powerful, expressive vocals and has enjoyed a successful solo career since leaving the band, whilst also pursuing stage work and radio presenting.

Mr Hadley recently joined the push to save The Rose & Thistle in Haddenham near Thame, over the Oxfordshire border in Buckinghamshire.

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Tony Hadley. (Image: Paul Strange)

Villagers are aiming to reopen the historic coaching inn, which dates back to the 18th century, but closed in 2019.

At the time of writing, The Rose & Thistle Reborn campaign has raised over £65,000, which is around 10 per cent of the required total sum of £750,000.

Mr Hadley has urged people to buy shares to back the crowdfunding campaign and said: “It’s a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past.

“We have to preserve our village and small town pubs.”

This drive to help re-establish the pub comes amid a UK music festival performance by Mr Hadley, who is set to perform at Live At Chelsea next week.

The festival takes place from Wednesday, June 10, to Sunday, June 14, at The Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London, with the Spandau Ballet performing on the opening night.

A statement from Ticketmaster said: “Designed by rock-star architect Sir Christopher Wren, the Royal Hospital’s Figure Court is a gasp-worthy landmark even when it’s just you and the pigeons.

“Now imagine this 17th-century courtyard hosting the giants of pop-rock, as the 2026 bill kicks off with Holly Johnson, Tony Hadley and Heaven 17, then rolls out a battery of big guns with Blue, Sparks, The Proclaimers and The Beach Boys performing Pet Sounds.

“The Chelsea Pensioners might not get much sleep this month, but you’ll have the night of your life.”

The controversial figure, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was due to speak at the Oxford Union on Thursday, May 28 before it was postponed over security concerns.

Yaxley-Lennon has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences with his significant recent imprisonment in October 2024 for contempt of court.

And his planned visit had sparked furious backlash, with politicians in Oxfordshire saying he is “not welcome” to the city.

Tommy Robinson. (Image: PA)

However, a source at the historic debating society told this newspaper that Yaxley-Lennon is now due to appear for his debate on Islam on Wednesday, June 17.

The source added that this was the day before the Union’s Palestine debate on June 18.

“The concern is that the Union intends to announce the debate only shortly before it happens, apparently to minimise public backlash and make it harder for students, local councillors, community groups, or the police to respond in time,” the source added.

“There is also concern that the timing is designed to avoid internal accountability: under Union rules, the final date to file a no-confidence motion against president Arwa Elrayyes is understood to be 5 June.

“Announcing the event after that date would effectively prevent members from using that route against her before the end of term.”

The Oxford Union has not responded to requests for comment around the new date.

It’s been reported that Thames Valley Police quoted the Oxford Union security and policing costs between £50,000 and £80,000 to safely host the debate.

It’s also been reported that the Oxford Union is facing a “financial crisis” with donations drying up after the Charlie Kirk scandal in which the former president-elect appeared to make light of the US commentator’s assassination.

Thames Valley Police was asked whether it would be attending the debate and expected protest outside.

A spokeswoman said: “We work closely with partners through established safety advisory structures to ensure local events run safely and smoothly, while minimising disruption to our communities.”

In a statement announcing the postponement, the Oxford Union said: “The Fifth Week debate has been postponed from 28 May to later this term to allow time for planning of the event.

“We are grateful to our local partners and stakeholders for their continued support and engagement.

“We expect to confirm the new date shortly, following discussions with our speakers.”

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds also expressed concern at Yaxley-Lennon appearing in Oxford.

She said: “The hatred promoted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, has no place in our great city.”