Holding hands through the years

And for their diamond wedding anniversary, Wem couple Arnold Cope and wife Jeanne had a double surprise, with a family lunch, and an unexpected card with a message of congratulations from the Queen.

"We met at the young farmers – the junior NFU, it was, Market Drayton branch. We first met at one of the dances," said former farmer Arnold, who is 91.

Both are from farming families. Arnold's dad farmed at Hodnet, and 83-year-old Jeanne's family – the Ellis family – farmed at Bletchley Manor, near Market Drayton.

They wed in 1958 at Moreton Say church and have three children, Sue, Alan and Ros, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Arnold learned to fly gliders on the Long Mynd and for nine years was with an aerobatics team called the Barnstormers, in which he flew a glider. He also accumulated 400 hours in fixed wing aircraft and another 400 hours in helicopters.

For her part, Jeanne is an ace flower arranger and judge.

Their youngest child Ros Mehta said: "Mum has been a very active figure in the flower arranging world, being a founder member of Fauls Flower Club and an active member of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies for many years.

"She has won awards at shows like the Shrewsbury Flower Show and later judging for all sorts of local clubs and was a passionate committee member of the Wem Flower Club until it closed.

"Dad loved flying and enjoyed performing in aerobatic displays at air shows like Weston Park, often with the Barnstormers.

"He later has served on the local council, been the chairman of the Conservative Association and was very active in saving the Maurice Chandler Sports Centre.

"At 91 and a half he spends much of his time inventing and making 'contraptions' that you never realised you couldn’t live without! And ice cream to die for.

"I love that they still hold hands."