A NORTH Bradley couple who ran a village Post Office near Trowbridge are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary today.

Bernard and Pat Clarkson (nee Mitchell), of Church Lane, both grew up in Purley, just south of Croydon, and, although they were not aware of it at the time, they both went to Purley Baptist Church for Sunday school, from the age of four.

Both of them knew of each other’s existence but one day in their late teenage years, the pair met at a local pub - and the rest is history.

The two got married at the baptist church on August 24, 1968, and went onto honeymoon in Alderney for two weeks.

Bernard and Pat, who worked in various aviation roles and as a teacher respectively, moved to Berkshire later that year, before moving to Watchfield, in Oxfordshire, in the mid 1970’s.

They went onto have three children in Juliette, 1972, Penny, 1974 and Robin in 1976. During this time, the couple bought and ran a post office for a good five years.

One day they travelled down to see Bernard’s brother Brian, who had a farm in North Bradley. In a short period of time, the couple agreed to buy another post office to live in and run in the village, sell the one they were running in Watchfield and move down to Wiltshire in 1981.

They have lived in the village ever since. Bernard was the sub postmaster and he was ably assisted by Pat for more than 30 years.

So ahead of the Saturday’s celebratory get together, the couple reflected on what the secret to their success was.

“I think keeping busy and listening to what the other has to say is very important,” said Bernard, who is also a North Bradley parish councillor

“Having different interests but also shared interests is a key part of it all, - I cannot wait for our celebration together,” said Pat.

Nearly 80 people, including friends and family, will join the couple at a special lunch at the Farmhouse Inn in Southwick on Saturday and then they will have a barbecue in the evening.

Bernard and Pat also have seven grandchildren.