IT was a diamond day for a Tavistock couple last Thursday when they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Martha and Bill Lethbridge, of Westmoor Park, married on November 20, 1943 at the village church in Peter Tavy.
Bill, who is 85, was a farmer at Milton Abbot until his retirement 20 years ago. He met Martha, who came from Sowton Down at Peter Tavy, at a ?Saturday night sixpenny hop? at Chillaton.
The couple have a son, John, who is married to Marion, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family and close friends all gathered at Bill and Martha?s house last Saturday for a big family party to celebrate their special anniversary and enjoy the special cake which was baked and iced by members of the family.
Since his retirement, Bill has been kept busy with his hobby of gardening. Martha, 81, is still an active member of Whitchurch WI. She also enjoys flower arranging and regularly helps decorate St Andrew?s Church in Whitchurch.
And the secret of a long and happy marriage?
?Give and take ? it?s no good one person being the boss,? said Bill. ?And sharing ? what?s hers is mine and what?s mine?s my own!? he joked.