A COUPLE who met on a blind date are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today.

Risinghurst residents Derek Taylor and wife Margaret, nee Covey, were set up for the date by mutual friends in 1962 and have never looked back since.

The couple, aged 72 and 70, got married on October 9, 1965, at Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry.

Fifty years on, the community stalwarts will attend a thanksgiving service at the church tomorrow to celebrate their marriage.

Mrs Taylor said the key to their long and happy marriage was having their own hobbies, and always discussing things with each other.

The former Neilsen chart writer added: “We met on a blind date that was set up by mutual friends – one was someone I went to school with and the other was someone Derek was working with.

“He was very nice and we just went from there. I suppose we clicked.”

Mrs Taylor has lived in Risinghurst all of her life, first in Downside Road.

After getting married the couple moved to Stanway Road, where they have lived ever since, bringing up their three sons, Andrew, 46, Paul, 45, and Peter, 37. The couple also have seven grandchildren.

Mr Taylor grew up in Bernwood Road, Barton, before moving to Risinghurst, and worked for Pressed Steel.

He has also captained Oxford Marathons Rugby Football Club.

Their son Peter said the couple had dedicated a lot of their time to community work and that they were constantly on the go.

He added they both helped to run the 16th Oxford Scout Group, which was based in Collinwood Road United Reformed Church, for many years.

Mrs Taylor said: “The secret is that we have got our own individual interests – Derek has rugby and I’ve been involved with the church.

“We have always supported each other in everything we have done.

“We spent a lot of time with the boys through being involved in the Scouts and we enjoy doing our bit for the community.

“Risinghurst has been a lovely place to live.”

Mr Taylor, who is also a parish councillor for the area, added: “I still feel 18. What can you say?

“We’ve been very happy and always got along well.”