A MALVERN couple are celebrating a rare milestone as they mark 70 years of marriage.
Bill and Wendy Latham (née Oliver) reached their platinum anniversary on June 23, having married at Christ Church in Malvern in 1956.
The pair have been in Worcestershire all their lives, with Mr Latham having been born in Upton upon Severn in 1929, moving to Guarlford four years later, while Mrs Latham was born in Spencer’s Walk, Malvern Link in 1933.
They first met at Barnards Green Youth Club, while Mr Latham was on leave from the Royal Engineers, having enlisted at the age of 18 years old.
Mrs Latham, who attended Great Malvern School as a child, went on to work at Kendall’s Department store and Elts in Church Street.
After the arrival of their two children Nigel and Mandy, she returned to work part-time at the Grove Junior School.
Mr Latham trained as a carpenter after he left the army, going on to join the Ministry of Works, which later became the Property Services Agency. His career took in various roles, including as a foreman at Pershore Airfield and clerk of works.
The couple have long shared a love of ballroom dancing, which they continued into their 90s, as well as family time, spending holidays in the UK and abroad.
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The secret to a long marriage
Their daughter has shared what the couple believes the secret to a long and happy marriage is.
“They say it comes down to give and take, love and respect, a healthy lifestyle, and staying active through dancing, cycling and sport,” she said.
“Bill has been an avid Aston Villa supporter since the war years and was part of the club’s record crowd on 2nd March 1946.
“Wendy has always loved watching and playing tennis, as well as swimming regularly.”
To celebrate the occasion, the couple had a vintage afternoon tea party with family and friends, followed by a meal at the Malvern Hills Hotel.
