Hereford couple celebrate 60 years of marriage (From Hereford Times)

Hereford couple celebrate 60 years of marriage

8:30am Wednesday 13th July 2011 in Features

A HEREFORD couple whose eyes met on the dance floor have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Tony and Marion Wilce made their first move together in December 1947 on a Saturday night at the Shire Hall.

They tied the knot at St Martin’s Church in June 1951 and remain in the same groove more than six decades later.

The Redhill couple celebrated their diamond anniversary at the Welsh Club with around 80 friends and relatives.

The pair regularly saw each other as teenagers at a youth club before Mr Wilce joined the Royal Navy. They had their “first dance” two days after he left the service and were impressed with each other’s footwork.

“We knew each other before and we weren’t bosom pals, but we were quite good ballroom dancers,” said Mr Wilce, aged 83.

“I left the navy on December 4 and met Marion two days later. You could say I came out of the fire and into the frying pan.”

The couple “just clicked”

according to Mrs Wilce, who called her husband a very hard-working and supportive man.

The pair, who have lived at Honddu Close since the 1950s, say their success is down to talking and basic give and take.

“He’s been a very good husband but we’ve always pulled together and worked things out,” said the 80-year-old.

The pair are also regular churchgoers and raised £200 for the St Martin’s Church roof appeal at their anniversary party.

They have two children, Alison and Clive, along with four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.