This summer, these three couples celebrated their 60th Diamond Wedding Anniversaries, together.
Between them they are celebrating 180 years of love and marriage. Couples and long-term friends Janet and Tony Cole, Pam and Geoff Tapper, and Colleen and Don Farquharson, are regulars at Cheap Street Church in Sherborne, where they met. On 31 July they celebrated after the Sunday service with coffee and cake in the church hall. Here, they share their marriage tips.

From left to right: Janet and Tony Cole, Pam and Geoff Tapper, and Colleen and Don Farquharson 60 years ago.

The NBVM asked…

What’s your secret to a long and happy marriage?
“Give and take on both sides,” said Geoff; “plus patience, forgiveness, understanding, and sharing,” added Colleen. “There is no secret to a happy marriage,” said Janet; “it is just being really good friends, enjoying each other’s company, and having a good sense of humour.”

Was it love at first sight?
“After National Service I came back to Plymouth to my old job at Plymouth County Council and became aware of a nice-looking young lady who was a telephonist,” remembers Geoff. “One night she was invited out to a dance by a young man, and I was off to the pub with a few university friends. We ended up at the dance. Pam went in with one man and came out with another. I guess it was love at first sight because we are still together.”
“Don and I first met at a boy’s Crusader Camp in Malvern,” said Colleen, “Don was group leader. I do think for me it was love at first sight! Not so Don: he was already interested in someone else! Alas for him, good news for me; the ‘interest’ lived too far away, and he had no transport.”
“Tony and I both grew up in London and met as a result of having attended the same church as children,” said Janet.

What are your favourite memories?
“We have many happy memories,” said Geoff. “One of our sons died some years ago so family memories are even more important to us. We have five lovely grandchildren.”
“Having a loving family is most important. Celebrating 40, 50, 60 years with our children and grandchildren. One funny memory was when Don had to jump into a lock on the canal because we had dropped the lock key in the water and couldn’t get out …” laughed Colleen.

What are the best long-term attributes?
“We’re devoted to our families,” said Geoff. “Don is very even-tempered; there is never a time when we have to wonder what mood he is in,” said Colleen.

Where are we going wrong today?
“I think Christian values are lost,” said Colleen. “Sexual freedom, with lack of commitment. Too much pressure when both partners work, and children must be cared for. These are just some of the things we see.” “The internet; mobile phones; limited conversations,” added Geoff, “there’s no time to really get to know each other.”