Diamond day for school sweethearts from Oswestry
A couple who first met during cookery lessons at school have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Maurice and Beryl Jones, of Oswestry, enjoyed a get-together with family and friends to celebrate their diamond day.
Mr Jones, 80, of Sandringham Avenue, said he first met his future wife, 78, while they were youngsters at school. He said: "I went to Ifton Heath School and then Weston Rhyn School and Beryl went to Criftins School. Criftins used to come to our school for cookery lessons and that is the first time we saw each other. I think I must have been about 12 or something and that is how long we have known each other."
The couple started dating when they were about 16 and have been together ever since. Mr Jones said: "We got married on February 13, 1954, at Criftins Church. I went to work at Ifton Colliery. I did that for six years and then we had a farm called Penrhos Farm at Criftins.
"Beryl worked at the dairy at Ellesmere. I retired when I was 60 and we moved from the farm to Ellesmere then to Gobowen and then to Oswestry."
They have five children, Margaret who lives in Ellesmere, Diane who lives in Bronington, Denise in Oswestry, Hughie in Gobowen and Mervyn from Ellesmere.
Mr Jones added: "We also have 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. We had a celebration at Ellesmere's Comrades Club. There was about 100-plus people." He added: "I would say the secret to a long marriage is not try not to fall out and just keep pulling together."
