A TROWBRIDGE couple who met at a dance in Lewes Town Hall in Sussex in 1951 have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Daphne and Michael Wood, of Halfway Close, Trowbridge, met just before he was due to depart for his National Service at RAF Padgate near Warrington in Cheshire. He later worked on Meteor aircraft at Tanmere near Chichester, East Sussex, and Biggin Hill in Kent

The happy couple married at St Leonards Church in Seaford, Sussex, on September 7 1957. Later, they moved to Tunbridge Wells in Kent, where Michael was working as a draughtsman for the local electricity board.

The following year, in June, they moved to Bath, for Michael’s work with the South Western Electricity Board. He retired in 1995 as second engineer.

Daphne, 81, and Michael, 83, have three daughters, all born in Bath: Jane now lives in Hampshire, Christine in West Sussex and Linda in Melbourne, Australia, for many years. They also have two grandchildren: Sebastian, who has just graduated from Durham University, and Henrietta in Australia.

Daphne worked as a receptionist and telephonist with East Sussex Police and then for Unigate in Trowbridge after having the children. Later, she worked for Bowyers in Trowbridge and retired in 1996 after working for local opticians, Carter & Harding.

Daphne said: “We have lived in Trowbridge for over 50 years, moving here in November 1963. Everybody has their ups and downs but we have always been honest with each other.”

Throughout their marriage, they have always enjoyed separate and joint interests including walking, gardening, music and theatre.

They will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Dartmouth on the Torbay Express steam train on Sunday.

“There will be eight of us going and we shall have breakfast on the way there and a four-course champagne dinner on the way home,” Daphne added.