A WEBHEATH husband and wife are celebrating 70 years of love during the coronavirus lockdown.
Dennis and Margaret Chambers, of Spring Vale Road, marked their Platinum Wedding Anniversary on May 6.
And although celebrations with their four children, nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren were postponed due to the restrictions their phone line was busy with family and friends sharing their special day from afar.
The couple are originally from Birmingham and Margaret recalls vividly the moment they first met back in the 1940s.
The 89-year-old said: “Our friend arranged a blind date at the local youth club. We were so young, I was only 16.
“We got talking and he walked me home. It all started from there.”
Dennis, now aged 90, was called up for National Service, and this spurred the love birds to get engaged and they were married by the Reverend Ellis at St Laurence Church in Northfield in 1950.
They enjoyed a varied work history, with employers including Cadburys, Austin Rover, Midland Red, West Midlands Travel and Kalamazoo. At one point they were both staff on the local transport system of buses and trams.
Margaret said they would wave to each other when their respective routes crossed paths.
Having grown up in South Birmingham, they settled in Rubery before relocating to Webheath on retirement.
Margaret added: “We are very fortunate to have had a long and happy life together.
“My advice to newlyweds today is to have lots and lots of patience with each other.”
Sarah Roe, their granddaughter, said: “Their relationship has been steadfast in the lives of our family.
“To achieve this milestone is inspirational to us all.
“They have very different personalities but it’s a mix that’s worked well. A good sense of humour is a strong a theme in their relationship.”
