Marking a diamond romance (From Evesham Journal)

Marking a diamond romance

5:30am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News

AN Evesham couple who got to know each other on a crowded dance floor are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Mary Allen met her husband Tony when she was visiting her school friend, Edna Perkins, at her home in Flyford Flavell, near Evesham.

Tony, who is now aged 86, was delivering a message to Edna’s father from his father when he first set eyes on his future bride.

“I thought he was very nice,” said 84-year-old Mrs Allen who lives in Church Lench, near Evesham.

“We used to go dancing tog-ether. He and Edna’s husband used to take us. Tony couldn’t actually dance. I wanted to do a waltz, but he wouldn’t dance.”

The couple married four years later when Mrs Allen was 24 and they lived with her mother for two and a half years before moving to a house in Church Lench. After serving in the Army, Mr Allen worked as a Co-op manager.

The happy couple have two daughters, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren with another one on the way.

Mrs Allen, who is a former cook at Pershore High School, said the last 60 years have flown by.

“I don’t know where the time has gone. It seems to have gone so quickly. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re very happy.

“You’ve got to give and take. You’ve just got to come to an agreement.”

The couple celebrated their special day by throwing a party for family and friends at Church Lench Village Hall followed by celebrations with their neighbours.