A diamond couple are celebrating 60 years together after Dennis Carter chose engagement over a new bicycle.
Dennis proposed to his girlfriend Norma by simply asking: “Should we get engaged or should I get a new bike?”
It is safe to say Norma chose the engagement and the pair are still going strong 60 years later as they celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary today, Thursday, July 27.
The couple, now of Furs Moorlong, Stretton, met while working at Eatough’s shoe factory, in Burton, which, Dennis proudly said, made 32,000 pairs of shoes a week in its heyday.
Norma, now 81, was born and bred in Burton, attending Horninglow Infants and Goodman Street schools. She later left school to work at Eatough’s.
Dennis, now 83, also lived in the town, going to Christ Church School and Anglesey Secondary Modern, which is now Paget High School.
He was already working at Eatough’s when Norma joined and was asked to show her the ropes.
They became regulars at the Eatough’s sports club and it didn’t take long before they became a couple.
Norma said: “We would go to the club and he would take me home and we would go to watch films at The Ritz like An American in Paris.
“I thought he was a funny boy. He still is.”
Dennis explained: “I was really small. I was about 5ft 2in and weighed seven stone. Norma had curvy wavy hair with a ‘widow’s peak’.” He explained it is V-shaped growth of hair towards the centre of the forehead.
The pair worked together until Dennis joined the army for his National Service. After leaving he worked as a dumper driver at building firm Hodge’s for two years, before returning to Eatough’s.
Asked how he proposed, Dennis laughed, saying: “I said 'should we get engaged or should I get a new bike?'”
He didn’t get the bike and the pair were married on July 27, 1957 at St John’s Church, Horninglow, with Dennis' sister and Norma’s two sisters as bridesmaids. The wedding was followed by a two-week honeymoon in Blackpool.
The couple went on to have two children, Karen, now 56, and Glyn, now 54.
When Karen was 15 years old, Norma went back to work and started at Sainsbury’s in Burton.
Dennis remained at Eatough’s until 1974 and became factory manager but when the factory moved to Leicester, Dennis decided to leave and started work at Marston’s in the bottling hall and wines and spirits.
He retired at the age of 58, and Norma retired in 1990.
The Carters first lived at Norma’s mother’s home, in Harper Avenue, for 12 months, then moved into their first home in Hunter Street where they lived for five years. They then moved to Castle Park, Horninglow; Knightsbridge, Stretton and finally Moor Furlong, Stretton in 1999.
They have two grandchildren Ellisa, 29, and Liam, 26.
The couple have travelled all over the world, on holidays and cruises.
Dennis played football for 20 years including for 12 years at Stapenhill. He also enjoyed bowls at Eatough’s and golf.
On the secret of a long marriage, Norma said: “We get on well, and we like each other’s company. We go together everywhere."
To celebrate their big day they have already taken the family on a mini cruise around France and tonight will be celebrating with a meal with the family.
