A PAIR of Purley lovebirds have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and revealed their secret to long and fruitful wedlock is a "bit of give and take".
Sheila and Gordon Iles, from Purley, who married on December 27, 1952, met at Sheila's home in Waddon after Gordon became friends with Sheila's eldest brother when they were in their teens.
And more than 60 years later the pair, who now live in Wyvern Road, have four children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Sheila, 76, who attended the former Waddon Secondary, said: "He got involved with my eldest brother and he brought him round to our house and from then on he asked if I would like to go to the pictures. Since then we've never looked back.
"You do have your ups and downs but a bit of give and take doesn't go a miss. Our family are very proud."
The pair marked the impressive milestone with a meal and an overnight stay at the Croydon Park Hotel attended by around 26 family and friends last week.
Gordon, 77, formerly a roofing consultant, said: "I married her just before my national service in Egypt. I suppose at the time I was worried someone else might collar her up before I did.
"But in all seriousness, everybody thinks it's wonderful and the whole family has come together. I will never forget when we moved into that first council house in Waddon together."
