Childhood sweethearts in Mansfield celebrate diamond wedding anniversary

Brian West, 81 and Valerie West, 82 of Chester Street were married at St Botolph’s church in Lincoln on August 27 1960.

The couple met at a dance in Lincoln and started out as just friends, but their friendship advanced further into something romantic.

Brian said: “I used to live in a village outside of Lincoln and my mates at that time used to go with me into Lincoln to what was a dancing school.

“On Saturday night they used to have open dancing, and the lads used to go there, and the girls used to congregate there as well.

“What started as pals then progressed further, and that was it really.”

Mr West worked as a painter and decorator, and after finishing his apprenticeship, he went into the air force for two years to complete his national service.

His wife Valerie worked as a typist at an office inside a factory when the couple first got together.

Brian claims that the secret to their 60 years of marriage is ‘give and take'.

He said: “The secret to a long marriage is give and take, no arguments and generally try to enjoy life together as much as you can.

“You read about a lot of people, two wrong words and one argument and they have parted, that sort of thing.

“It’s about supporting one another to the best of your ability through any problems, or health problems, anything like that so my advice is to just support one another to the best of your ability.”

The couple have shared countless happy memories together, but Brian said that the happiest ones were probably when both of their sons were born.

After 60 years of marriage, Brian and Valerie have two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The couple plan to celebrate their diamond anniversary with family at The Devonshire Arms, in Upper Langwith, on Saturday evening.