It was a diamond day for these two Wandsworth sweethearts when they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
James Marsland, now 87, wooed his wife Helen at ballroom dancing lessons just after the war and married her at St Anne’s Church in 1949.
On Sunday the pair, who lived in Fairfield Drive for 43 years, threw a diamond anniversary dinner for friends and family at an Italian restaurant in Banstead.
Mrs Marsland, now 79, said: “It was lovely. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a wonderful atmosphere.
“I recommend 60 years, if you can manage it. It’s not a very common experience is it.”
Mr Marsland, who was in the RAF during the war, spent most of his life as a lift and escalator engineer in London while his wife brought up their four children and then worked as an administrator at Shell.
The couple, who are eagerly awaiting their congratulatory letter from the Queen, now have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren and live in Sutton.
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