Mavis and Edgar celebrate 70 years wed

Ration coupons were saved up to ensure the 50 guests sat down to a wonderful meal and the couple cut an impressive wedding cake.

This week Mr and Mrs Baker celebrated 70 years of married life at their home in Shrewsbury by looking back at the photos of their big day.

Their life together has taken them from their schooldays in Walsall Wood near Wolverhampton, across Britain and eventually to Shropshire.

They moved to Wem in the north of Shropshire before moving to the county town.

Mrs Baker, 93, met her husband-to-be at school when she was just 11 years old and he was the captain of the school.

"But he had other girlfriends and it was a few years later in late 1947 or '48 when we finally got together," she said.

They married in September 1950 at St John's Parish Church, Walsall Wood.

"We had our reception at the Co-op hall and even though it was just after the end of the war and there was still rationing on is mother and mine made sure we had a wonderful wedding breatkfast. We were able to have a sit down lunch of boiled ham and salad for 50 guests. We even had a wedding cake which was rare in those days," Mrs Baker said.

The couple had no children but were heavily involved with their local methodist church's girls' and boys' clubs in the Walsall area, something Mrs Baker said they very much enjoyed.

Mr Baker was a skilled tailor's cutter, known as a textile techologist. His work took them from their home in Bloxwich to Nottingham and Surrey, working for some of the top tailors in the country.

When he retired the couple moved to Shropshire and they spent 15 years living in Wem.

"We had a lovely garden and enjoyed visiting the Wem sweet pea festival," Mrs Baker said.

They then moved to retirement accommodation in the centre of Shrewsbury.

There extended family is spread out across the world.

"My sister lives in Newfoundland as has done so for a very long time," Mrs Baker said.

"We have to be content now talking to each other on the telephone."