Jim and Norma are a real diamond couple

The Hartlepool couple met at the Co-operative Store’s social club in Whitby Street in 1952, and tied the knot at St Aidan’s Church, on January 28, 1956.

The happy occasion was featured in the Northern Daily Mail, the Mail’s predecessor.

Jim, now 93, said: “Norma was serving the tea and I thought ‘I’m going to take that girl home’ and that was how it started.”

Jim was working at the Expanded Metal Company in Hartlepool at the time and Norma, 82, nee Raistrick, worked in the Co-op’s shoe department at its general stores in Park Road.

They are looking forward to celebrating the milestone with a big party of family and friends this weekend at West Hartlepool Rugby Club.

“People are coming from all over the country,” said Norma.

Among the 100-plus guests will be sons Stephen, 57, and Mark Spencelayh, 51, and their grandchildren Daniel, 26, Callum, 24, Yasmine, 23, and Lucy Spencelayh, 21.

The couple, who live at West Park, also have two great-grandchildren.

Reflecting on the strength of their 60-year marriage Jim said: “We never really row. We seem to have sailed through it pretty well.”

Norma added: “We have had a very happy 60 years. We have a loving family and lots of good friends.”

Until recently, Jim and Norma enjoyed gardening and dancing.

They have also travelled extensively including a visit to son Mark, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, where he works in computing.