WHEN a 15-year-old gardener met a 16-year-old housemaid at Davenham Rectory in 1936 - love bloomed.

And now Owen and Joyce Gough have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

And it will be a double celebration for the couple, of Prospect Drive, Davenham, when their daughter Judith gets married in two weeks.

The couple married at Holy Trinity Church, Castle - but Owen only had 48 hours leave from the army before he was sent back to the Middle East.

"It was hard on the ladies. They didn't get mail for months on end although Joyce wrote to me every day during the war," said Owen.

When Owen returned home he worked at ICI progressing to process manager while Joyce was at home with their children John and Judith.

Throughout their married life they have both been staunch members of the Hartford branch of the Royal British Legion.

Owen was chairman for many years and is now vice chairman while Joyce is president of the ladies section.

The couple celebrated their big day on Thursday, April 26, with a party for friends at Hartford Social Club.

Then they enjoyed a Sunday lunch at the Fourways Inn in Delamere with members of their family including their grand-daughters Rachel and Nicola.

Owen said: "There is no secret about being married for 60 years. We have been members of Hartford Church for 35 years.

"If you live a good Christian life. Everything else falls into place."