A COUPLE from Bere Alston recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary surrounded by family.

John and Iris Snell first met when Iris, then 22-years-old, gave 24-year-old John a cup of tea while he was at work as a junior booking clerk at Bere Alston Station.

‘I brought a cup of tea to John and that was my downfall,’ joked Iris, 81.

The couple started courting but then John was sent to complete his National Service with the Army for two years.

John, 84, said: ‘We were courting just as I went away for the Army but I used to write to her and sign it SWALK which means sealed with a loving kiss.’

He returned in 1953 and the couple married in 1957 at Bere Alston Methodist Church, Mount Zion. At their wedding on September 4, they said they were proud and honoured to have the Plymouth Ford 8th boys’ brigade give the guard of honour.

After their honeymoon at St Ives, the couple lived at Helston Farm for two years with Iris’ family until their home in Bere Alston was ready for the young couple.

John worked for 46 years on the railway, which included Calstock Station as a junior clerk and a senior accounts clerk at Plymouth Station. The couple have one daughter Heather Major, who was born on June 21, 1960, three granddaughters Sara Major, Kirsty Fox and Samantha Major, and three great grandchildren, Amy, Logan and Paige.

Together, John and Iris said that they have enjoyed a happy and contended life together.

John added: ‘I have always loved Iris and I always will.’

Picture of John and Iris with their family by James Bird.