TAVISTOCK couple Ray and Julia Hurle recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary at the Moorland Garden Hotel.

There were 59 guests at the lunchtime celebration, with a mixture of family and friends. The couple were toasted by grandson Ben Rich, with speeches from both Julia and Ray. This was followed by a poem from grandson Zac and a ballad sung by grandson Jake, who was supported by great granddaughter Ivy.

Celebrations continued in the evening, when Julia and Ray and many of the lunchtime guests were joined by choir members and St Eustachius’, where Julia has sung for the last 27 years.

Julia and Ray have lived in West Devon since 1972 and both have been involved in a number of local activities. Ray has been chairman of Tavistock Badminton Club, captain and secretary of Hardwick Golf Club, president of Tavistock Probus Club and has worked with Samaritans, Plymouth and West Devon Talking Newspaper for the Blind and the Independent Monitoring Board at Dartmoor Prison.

Julia is a chorister at Tavistock Parish Church. She has also been a member of the Ten Tors Choir, the Plymouth University Choir and Kelly Choir. Other interests have included being a member of the Swarthmore Players Drama Group, Samaritans and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The couple plan to continue their celebration later this year with a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth.