A COUPLE are today celebrating their Golden wedding anniversary and insist that the secret to 50 years of love and marriage is that they ‘always make each other laugh’.
Brenda and Geoff Williams, of Ashbourne Drive, Church Gresley, sat smiling at each other as they looked back over five decades of marriage.
The pair, who are 68 and 72 respectively, told the Mail that they had had ‘ups and downs like all couples’ but they had ‘made them stronger’.
Mrs Williams said: “We met at what was known as Outwoods Rec, off Belverdere Road, when I was 15 and Geoff was 19.
“We started going out and by the time I was 17 I was engaged and at 18 we got married at St John’s Church, in Horninglow. It was a big family occasion with lots of friends and neighbours as well.”
The couple first lived in a one bedroom flat in Rosliston Road while Brenda worked as a petrol pump attendant and Geoff plied his trade at BTR rubber factory.
Two years later, the pair purchased their first house in Horninglow Road and decided to start a family.
Brenda added: “We had my daughter Donna first in 1965, Ian in 1966, who is sadly no longer with us, and finally Alan in 1968. Four years later we moved to Ashbourne Drive and have been here ever since.
“Over the years we have had ups and downs like most couples do but this has brought us closer.”
Geoff said: “The trials, tribulations and the tragedies have brought us together. We have a good family and that has also helped.”
“We make each other laugh and I think that has helped get us to 50 years,” added Brenda.
The pair spend their time gardening and holidaying in Portugal and Cyprus.
Geoff said: “It really is an achievement nowadays to get to 50 years of marriage.”
Brenda added: “I didn’t realise it was such a big event.”
The couple will celebrate the milestone with a party with family and friends.
