A diamond day in the life of Angells

Norman Angell and June Morris, as she was before marriage, wed at St Michael's Church, Ford, near Shrewsbury.

And the secret of a long and happy marriage?

"Just loving each other and listening to each other, and getting on with it. It's mutual respect. Obviously love is very important. We like each other!" said Norman.

That marriage 60 years ago was in Ford because it was where June and her parents lived then.

"I was introduced to her by her brother, who was a work colleague of mine. She was the secretary to the principal at Shrewsbury Technical College and I was working at Allscott sugar factory, doing clerical work."

The couple have a variety of celebrations lined up to mark their anniversary.

"First of all on Easter Sunday morning we shall be celebrating with friends at St Andrew's Church at Shifnal - we're taking a cake to church for after the service. On the anniversary day we shall have a sort of open house, and on the following Sunday, April 8, we are having a lunch for family and friends at the Wroxeter Hotel."

The couple have been active members of the church for many years. Norman is a member of the church warden team and both are lay altar assistants.

"We're both 82. At the time we were married I was doing National Service in the Royal Navy. I was at Chatham barracks, but I had been on the ship HMS Venus, which was an anti-submarine frigate.

"Two of my former Royal Navy colleagues will be at our friends and family do."

Norman worked for Shropshire Newspapers as an advertisement executive for 32 years, retiring in 2000. June was for many years a clerk in the bursar's office at the Abraham Darby School in Madeley.

"We have three children, five grandchildren, and quite a few what we call associate grandchildren from various marriages and remarriages who have all joined the clan," added Norman.