A NEW Addington couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary more than 60 years after meeting at a dance class in Croydon
Eileen and Jack Arch first met at the Fred Brooker Dance School, in Crown Hill, Croydon.
Their son Tony explained: "My dad was dragged along by his brother to the dance class, he didn't really want to go so he was sitting on the side lines reading the Racing Post newspaper trying not to be noticed.
"The dance tutor asked my mum to get him up on the dance floor as she was more experienced at dancing and it all started from there."
Eileen, 78, and Jack, 83, were married at Croydon Registry Office on April 11, 1953. They raised their family in and around Croydon before settling in New Addington.
Mr Arch worked as an iron moulder in Croydon while Mrs Arch raised the children and worked as an invoice typist.
The happy couple gave birth to two girls and two boys – Susan, Deborah, Tony and Dean. Dean sadly died at the age of 17.
The couple now have eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with another due in May.
Daughters Susan and Deborah told the Advertiser: "We always remembered that money was tight but they always managed to save for a holiday each year to either Selsey or Devon – it was a lovely childhood."
Tony said: "We are a very close family and we have been there for each other during the good and the bad times."
