Couple mark milestone together
A Black Country couple are celebrating their Diamond Wedding anniversary together.
June and James Baker, who are both 81 and live in Woodsetton, marked their special day yesterday.
The couple met when they were both 16, worked together at British Federal and have been together ever since.
They were married at Holy Trinity Church in Ettingshall on January 7, 1961.
Mr Baker said: “We only had a small wedding with the family, as I was away in the forces after being called up for national service and had to get compassionate leave to come home and get married, so we had no honeymoon.”
The couple have two children and have six grandchildren.
Mr Baker added: “After I left British Federal, I went to Meryl’s Engineering as a sheet metal worker, I spent time in the forces and when I left Meryl’s I went to what used to be RCI on Stafford Road and retired there.
“My wife carried on at British Federal as a wage clerk but left to have our children.
“She then worked part-time at the post office. In her time it was robbed twice and she received a commendation from the GPO in Birmingham as she didn’t let the thieves have the money.
“We still have the commendation on the wall now.”
June now enjoys doing cross stitch and puzzles and James enjoys DIY.
Due to lockdown, and the couple being high risk, they have had to celebrate by themselves but are hoping they will be able to have a party somewhere with friends and family when they can.
Speaking about their secret to a long lasting marriage, Mr Baker said: “It really is about having a lot of patience, understanding and give and take.”
