LOCAL couple Jean and Ron Tiley will be celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary, of 60 years, on Thursday 31st March.
The couple have grown up in Melksham, and were both educated initially at Lowbourne School before Ron went to Chippenham Grammar School and Jean went to The Commercial School in Trowbridge.
From there, the couple progressed into employment. Ron went to Spencers in Melksham, which latterly was known as GEC. Later in this working life, he worked for Babcock International in Gloucester, and during this time he spent three months working in South Africa.
Jean’s employment took her to the architects department at County Hall, Trowbridge, where she stayed until the birth of her first daughter.
The couple’s wedding was held on Easter Saturday, 1956, and they were married at Melksham Baptist Church. The service was officiated by Rev Whitney, and a reception was held for them at Melksham House, followed by a honeymoon in Boscombe.
After their marriage, and before their second daughter was born, Ron had designed a bungalow and, with his father’s help, had built it. They have lived there for over 50 years.
They have two daughters, Elizabeth and Jeanette, four grandsons, James, Simon, Andrew and Michael, six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Isabelle, Haydn, Harvey, Hari and Bethany, and two son-in-laws, Tony and David.
When they first met they had a shared interest in ballroom dancing, and took part in various local competitions. Ron has always had a keen interest in gardening which he still enjoys and Jean has always been very musical, and up until about 15 months ago, she was regularly the organist at Melksham Baptist Church.
The couple will be celebrating this milestone occasion with their family.
