Hartlepool couple celebrate Diamond Wedding anniversary after shielding

Terry, 87, and Edith, 83, have both been shielding since the start of lockdown due to their age and various health conditions.

They had hoped to celebrate their special day on Thursday, August 6, with a big family get-together at home.

The couple have five children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

But due to coronavirus gatherings of more than 30 people are currently not allowed to take place in people's homes.

Edith said: “We were going to have a party in the garden but when the rules came out we cancelled it.

"We are just going to have a drink in the back garden with our immediate family and have a party later on when things change.”

Like countless couples, Terry and Edith met at Hartlepool’s Rink dance hall in the mid 50s.

At that time, Edith, 17, worked in the Hartlepool Laundry, and Terry, who was 21, was a cook in the RAF.

After a courtship of six years, they said ‘I do’ at St Teresa's Church.

Terry spent six years in the RAF stationed at Doncaster and after leaving had various jobs including a painter.

After a spell at Siemen’s factory, Edith spent 27 happy years working behind the bar of various social clubs in town including Seaton, Rift House, South Durham (Steelworks) and Stranton.

"I loved the company and all the people I met and served,” she said. “I made loads of friends over the years.”

The couple are parents to Lorraine Martin, 57, Julie Taylor, 55, Michelle Henderson, 52, Tony, 56, and Kay Martin, 47.

They have lived in the same house in the Oxford Road area for 51 years.

Edith said there is no secret to a long and happy marriage saying: “You just get used to each other.

"Like everybody else we’ve had good days and bad but we just chug along.”

Prior to lockdown, Edith enjoyed a game of bingo and darts at the Steelworks club, while Terry is a keen line and sequence dancer.

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