Shifnal fairground meeting led to romance
A couple who met by chance 61 years ago at Shifnal Fair have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
Joe, 87, and Linda Dyas, 79, of Meole Village, Shrewsbury, were joined by family and friends to celebrate the occasion, and the couple also received a congratulatory card from Her Majesty The Queen.
Mr and Mrs Dyas were married at Bishop's Castle on July 30, 1955.
The marriage followed a whirlwind courtship when they met at Shifnal Fair in 1954 and Mr Dyas was taken by the redhead on the waltzers with her girlfriend. Mrs Dyas was then working at the Post Office in Shifnal.
Mr Dyas had left the RAF and was back at home in Oakengates working at a local iron foundry. The couple set up home in Oakengates and had five children. They moved to Shrewsbury in 1970 and Linda worked as a teacher and then at the museum at Rowleys House, while Joe set up his own business as a window cleaner. They now have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs Dyas said the key to a successful marriage is respect and putting family first. She said: "I think the most important thing in a marriage is having respect for each other and being friends."
As part of the their celebrations Mr and Mrs Dyas were joined by family for a special Sunday lunch at the Four Crosses, Shrewsbury, before a party at home. The pair also asked for donations to the cystic fibrosis charity instead of any gifts.
