HELMETLESS motorbike rides across 1950s Dartmoor sealed the attraction for Vera and John Walter who celebrate their golden wedding anniversary tomorrow (Friday).
Vera, a Tavistock girl, met John, from Brentor, by lucky chance in the town in early 1950 and things ?just went from there.?
After three years and many thrilling rides on John?s motorbike the couple were married at Tavistock?s St Eustachius Parish Church, on June 20, 1953.
On Friday they will celebrate their anniversary with 21 of their friends and family ? some of whom they have known since school days ? at the Lydford House Hotel.
Their two daughters, Julie Long and Alison Doidge still live in South West Devon. Alison is the mother of Vera and John?s 13-year-old grandson Richard.
Vera says the secret to their long and happy marriage was staying faithful to each other, and that John?s motorbike was a big attraction for her when they met.
John says happiness and contentment kept them together over the years, but when remembering their wedding day, he also thinks Vera?s alternative wedding vow might have made a difference.
He said: ?When we said our wedding vows, and the vicar asked my wife if she?d take me, Vera said "I will, I will". I think she repeated it to make sure I couldn?t escape ? and it worked.?
As well as having their two daughters, they count holidays, at home and abroad, as some of their happiest times, especially a trip to Austria given to them by their family for their ruby anniversary ten years ago.
The Walters are looking forward to their party, and are expecting some surprises, Vera said: ?I think the family have been getting together and have something up their sleeves, but we?re not worried. It?s going to be quite a sentimental evening, a really lovely occasion.?