Michael & Barbara Mercieca

MAKING compromises and talking things through are a huge part of what has helped a Trowbridge couple enjoy 50 years of marriage.

Michael and Barbara Mercieca, of Farleigh Avenue, celebrated their golden wedding with a party at Trowbridge Cricket Club, with 80 friends and family.

The pair first met in May 1963 at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair, as they were both air cadets at the time. Michael was with the City of London wing and Barbara was a member of the Reading unit.

“I remember there was an instant attraction when he saw me and called me over,” said Barbara.

“He was all dressed up. I thought he was a high flyer as he had his stripes from the air cadets.”

The two got talking and decided to keep seeing each other, despite the distance between their homes in Islington and Reading.

When group meet-ups with friends by train petered out, the 17-year-olds continued to travel to each other’s houses.

They got married at St James’ Church, Reading on July 6, 1968, and spent their honeymoon in Guernsey.

Soon afterwards, the couple, who had their golden wedding party on July 7, moved down to a small cottage in Calstone, near Calne.

In 1969 they had their first child Richard, before the births of Mark in 1972 and Caroline in 1974.

Mr Mercieca spent several decades working for Avon Rubber in Melksham, before retiring in 2006, and Mrs Mercieca worked for Wiltshire Council from the early 1980s until 2012.

So what is the secret to their successful marriage?

“Sometimes you have to work at it and see things through because it is worth it,” said Mrs Mercieca.

“You have to compromise and talk it out but we have had a great time together. We are a very close knit family.”

Mr Mercieca agreed with his wife and said he was immensely proud of his three children and six grandchildren. “I feel humbled by it all,” he said.