Marriage reigns

Irene and Ernie Eldridge, 84 and 87, married at Fulbrook Church in 1952 and mark the milestone in the village with a family meal.

They met at a darts match in the Masons Arms, Fulbrook, on April 1, 1948, while Miss Wiggins was visiting her aunt on holiday from High Wycombe.

Mrs Eldridge said: “We liked each other and it went from there. After I went back we continued to see each other and commuted until we could find somewhere to live, which was difficult in those days – after the war there were no houses.”

They eventually found what became the home they have lived in ever since.

The couple married shortly after the Queen’s ascension to the throne on February 6, 1952.

Mrs Eldridge said: “Everything was bleak. The king had died and everyone was in mourning.

“All the bright colours in the shops went out and all the greys, dull blues and blacks came in. It was very difficult to find going away clothes that were colourful.

“But the Queen has given her life to the country and she has done a brilliant job.”

Mrs Eldridge said her wedding was the best day of her life, adding: “There was snow on either side of the church doors but it was a brilliant day.

“We went to London for a week on honeymoon afterwards and it was a beautiful week.”

Mr Eldridge, who had been in the army before the couple met, worked as a stonemason for his entire career until retiring in 1986. He worked his way up to become superintendent of works for English Heritage and was involved in maintenance work on the Tower of London.

Mrs Eldridge, who was a full-time mother, said: “We’ve had our ups and downs but it has been a very happy marriage.

“Our success is down to give and take, and patience. There will always be hurdles but you work it out between you.”

She said their two children, Maurice, 58, and Shirley, now 54, were the highlight of their marriage.

The couple also have three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.