A COUPLE who married in Fivehead 60 years ago celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary just a few yards from where they said “I do”.

Pam and David Stevens marked the anniversary with family and friends at Yarlington Housing Group’s St Martin’s Close retirement scheme, just round the corner from the Church of St Martin where they wed in 1954.

Pam, now 83, and David, 89, met at a dance in Wrantage shortly after he left the army at the age of 22.

They were rarely alone in the early days of their courtship, as Pam’s best friend Gwen would accompany her on every date.

David said: “They were inseparable and Pam wouldn’t see me without Gwen for a bit! After a while I think she started to feel like a spare wheel so we got some time by ourselves - they are still best friends though.”

A regular Thursday coffee morning at the scheme was turned into a surprise celebration for the couple, organised by Pam and David’s son Kevin, and Yarlington support coordinator Tracey Singleton – it included balloons, banners, flowers and treats, and a cake made by a Yarlington resident, Eveleigh Parkinson, from Curry Rivel, who wanted to contribute, despite having never met the couple.

Kevin said: “It’s been a great shared effort. They’ve been wonderful parents, and it’s really special that mum and dad are able to celebrate this occasion.

“Back in 2004 Mum suffered a stroke and we were told that she only had six weeks to live, so to be celebrating her 60th wedding anniversary, ten years on, with her husband is a momentous occasion for us all.”