An inseparable Ipswich couple who were told “it would never last” have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
Denis and Janet Robinson, of Maryon Road in Ipswich celebrated the special occasion on Thursday last week, having married on July 27 1957.
The couple, who have both lived in Ipswich their entire lives, first met at St Lawrence Church Hall in 1955 at one of its weekly dance nights.
Mrs Robinson, 79, said: “I went down with my friends from work and used to have to do these dances – he was the only one who I though I would ask to dance.
“He seemed a nice chap. He was friendly and liked a joke and a laugh – he was a decent sort of chap but my dad wasn’t too happy!”
After walking home with their friends at the end of the evening the couple met, Mrs Robinson let her future husband borrow her bike instead of having to make the long walk to his home in Cauldwell Hall Road – a gesture her father was less than happy about.
“I borrowed her bike and her dad said to her ‘you won’t see that any more – he comes from Gainsborough!’” Mr Robinson, 83 recalled.
“Somebody said that it would never last but it did,” the retired Ransomes lawnmower-maker added.
Mrs Robinson said the proposal “wasn’t very romantic” but the pair were married two years after first meeting, in a ceremony at St John’s Church in Cauldwell Hall Road.
“We were at his mum’s one night and he stopped at the back door and said ‘I have got something for you’ and just asked if I would marry him”,” the retired tailoress said.
The couple, who have four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren (with another great-grandchild on the way) celebrated with a gathering of family and friends at the Golden Hind – many of whom they had not seen for a number of years.
Mr Robinson said: “That was lovely – all the old friends and family there, and we talked about the old days.”
And the success to a long, happy marriage?
“Give and take,” Mrs Robinson said. “You have a few ups and downs but we have never had any problems really.”
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