60 years on - Shrewsbury couple's double reason to celebrate
One of the benefits of having your birthday on the same day as your wedding anniversary is that you're in no danger of forgetting it.
But aside from remembering important dates, the key to a long and happy marriage is doing things together, a couple have said on their diamond anniversary.
Eric and Grace Davies are celebrating 60 years together, complete with a telegram from the Queen.
Originally from Wellington, Eric, 83, met Margaret - known as Grace to friends and family - 82, at a dance in Madeley in 1951. The couple now live in Stretton Close, Shrewsbury.
Eric is a retired teacher who taught electronics at Shrewsbury Tech - now Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology - and Grace worked as a wages clerk for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
The occasion is a double celebration for Eric who has just turned 83.
"This year the anniversary overshadows my birthday – I didn't even think about it. I could never forget the anniversary though, there would be no excuse.
"We met on September 29, 1951 when I was just being demobbed from the RAF. I'd done two years of national service.
"We got engaged on February 7 1953, and married on May 29, 1954, on my 23rd birthday," he said.
"The house is littered with bags of presents - birthday presents, anniversary presents, we've got four vases of flowers, everywhere I look there are boxes of chocolates."
But one well wisher was unexpected, he said.
"We got a little card from the Queen, it came in a double envelope and there's a nice picture of her in it.
"It says 'I am pleased to know that you are celebrating your diamond anniversary. I send my congratulations and best wishes on such a special occasion.'
"But I think you have to ring the palace to make a request - I think my daughter had secretly arranged it."
The couple have two daughters, Wendy Eddie, 55 and Jenny Jones, 53, as well as two granddaughters, Alison and Claire, now both in their twenties.
He said one of the main things that kept their marriage a happy one was shared interests and time together.
"We've always shared hobbies," he said. "We went sailing together, we used to play badminton together and now we play bowls together.
"Generally we do things together and always have done."
