Love is still shining brightly in the eyes of a Slaithwaite couple, who have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
Jean and Douglas Watson were left dazzled by each other when they met in the Colne Valley when they were only 20 and 23 and have been inseparable ever since.
The lucky pair hit it off after an unusual first date when Douglas, now 85, asked Jean if she wanted to come see his sister’s new baby.
Jean, 82, who lives with Douglas in Lingards Road, said: “It was not the normal first date, that was for sure.
“We vaguely knew each other through family friends but the first time I met him properly he asked if I wanted to come along with him.
“It was a bit unusual because I didn’t know him but we hit it off straight away.”
Douglas then took her to some more well-known dating hot spots.
Jean said: “He liked the Marsden Socialist Club and I liked the cinema so we took it in turns.”
They then married two years later at the Marsden Congregational Church, surrounded by friends and family.
This was followed by a holiday to Ilfracombe before they were bitten by the travel bug.
Jean said: “We went all over the world together. We started in Europe and visited countries like Germany but then once we retired we became real travellers and went absolutely everywhere. This included the USA, Philippines and Australia.”
They had their first child, Sean, 10 years after they tied the knot in 1964.
He was followed by Bronwin in 1968, who they looked after whilst the pair worked in mills around the area.
Their first grandchild, Abigail, was born in 1992 and they are waiting to become great grandparents later in the year.
Jean said: “We’ve been great travel companions and Douglas is so easy going, so we get along well.”
They enjoy a host of other hobbies together, such as reading, listening to brass bands and following Huddersfield Town FC and will celebrate their special day on Saturday at Marsden Liberal Club.
