Green-fingered diamond couple celebrate special anniversary
When Shifnal couple Cindy and Derrick Rigby moved across the Shropshire border from Walsall friends joked that they were emigrating.
But the prize-winning gardeners have loved their life in the county and have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
There were married in Walsall in 1962 and have gone on to enjoyed married life with daughters, Abi and Tina and son, Steven, and five grandchildren.
The family organised a surprise party for Cindy and Derrick at The Red House.
Cindy, 78, a talented artist, was the resident artist at Weston Park for many years, while Derrick, 82, still works as an accountant and is also still involved in vinyl record collecting.
Their love of music from the 50s continued after meeting at a dance at Walsall Town Hall.
"It was proper music and proper dancing then," Derrick said.
They have always been avid gardeners and are past winners of the Shropshire Garden of the Year when they lived in Sherrifhales.
"We are so grateful to everyone for the wonderful surprise party," they said.
"It must have been such a massive amount of work. We had a wonderful time and we met up again with people we haven't seen for years."
