When Jutta and I came to Woodgate, it seemed like foreign soil;
the garden such a jungle and promising endless toil;
arcane and complex rules to manage the estate.
Why, even the Managing Agent seemed to determine our fate.
Our fellow residents formed part of this equation.
If they showed up negative, it would be our ruination.
But wait – we soon discovered a friendly Him and Her.
It is our nearest neighbours to whom I now refer.
Her a fecund artist, with a side line in sponge cakes.
Creative and insightful – I think she’s got what it takes.
Her trenchant views and instinctive acts may seem sometimes bizarre,
but that’s preferred to maudlin common sense – oh yes, better by far.
Him turned out to be quite another kettle of proverbial fish.
Sporting, green-fingered and melodic, as knowledgeable as anyone could wish,
and now he is all equipped to give us citizens advice.
Let’s hope this is preferred to relying on the roll of the dice.
So threescore years and ten have passed and we are celebrating this milestone today;
a truly happy event that gives me the chance to say:
‘warmest wishes to you both and thank you from Jutta and me,
and good fortune for what’s to come, in the years that are yet to be.’