Diamond celebrations for John and Audrey (From Salisbury Journal)

Diamond celebrations for John and Audrey

7:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in Headlines By Elizabeth Kemble

A COUPLE who met over a game of table tennis more than six decades ago are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today .

John and Audrey Short married at St Paul’s Church in South Harrow just over a year after they met.

Beginning their life together in Middlesex, they later moved to Kent, Devon, Essex and Hounslow before arriving in Tollard Royal in the 1970s.

One particularly memorable relocation in 1966 involved a six-week hike from Canvey Island to Weymouth. Both have enjoyed working in a variety of jobs, with Mr Short having worked in a shipyard, for an insurance company and most recently as a woodcarver, exhibiting his popular sculptures and rustic furniture along the B3081.

Mrs Short, who spent ten years working at the Larmer Tree Gardens, used to make jewellery and cards. Over the years they have enjoyed working together at fairs throughout the area, walking, and doing yoga and Tai Chi.

They have five children and three grandchildren and are looking forward to celebrating their special anniversary with family and friends at the weekend.

Mr Short said: “I adore her and always have, from the first moment I laid my eyes on her.”

Mrs Short believes the secret to a long-lasting marriage is being tolerant and working hard to sort out problems.

She said: “Yes, you have spats but you have to make them up quite quickly and not let them drag on and have those awful silences.

“Tolerance is a must and sharing a similar sense of humour helps.

“He’s always made me laugh.”