Irene and Brian Stoodley celebrate 65 years of marriage

Irene, 83, and Brian Stoodely, 85 from Bulbridge tied the knot on September 27, 1958 and say they are as much in love as they were on the day they married. 

They have now been married for 65 years, which is the Blue Sapphire anniversary. 

Both sports enthusiasts at the time, they first met at Victoria Park. 

Irene said: "I used to watch him play tennis. I sat on the bank and used to just look at him."

Celebrating together (Image: Annette J Beveridge)

Although Irene was openly smitten, Brian didn't realise that Irene had a crush on him at first.  

When they finally got together, the couple were engaged for one year before they got married but were separated for two years when Brian had to go away for work.

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Celebrating 65 years of marriage (Image: Annette J Beveridge)

Although apart for a long period of time, Irene had no hesitation or doubt that Brian was the one for her and she waited for him to come back.  

She said: "We are very compatible."

Following their wedding, the couple adopted four children and have remained a close knit family even though they don't all live in the area.

Irene laughed and said: "I don't know how they put up with us. They are always there for us."

The couple also have nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and she admitted it is a little expensive at Christmas.  

Tech-savvy Irene who worked at Salisbury District Hospital for many years as a surgical secretary to a consultant plastic surgeon said: "I'm on the computer all the time. We can chat to them through that."

Brian had worked at Porton Down for 40 years. 

When asked how the 65th wedding anniversary celebrations were going, Brian looked at his family, the flowers and chocolates and said: "I didn't expect any of this."

His tip for a long and happy marriage? Brian said: "You have to give and take."