Former Padiham couple mark diamond day

Cynthia Heys knew she wanted to marry husband Harold (81) and have four children together when they became an item at around 15 years-old.

Her wish came true when they later married at St Leonard’s Church, Padiham, on March 22nd, 1958, and still going strong six decades later, they celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss with a family meal.

Their daughter, Clare Wilkin, said: “I think it’s wonderful they’ve been together so long.

“They like having comedy between them and they don’t take themselves too seriously.”

And it wasn’t just a telegram from the Queen which made their day all the more special.

For Cynthia was also toasting her 79th birthday.

If that wasn’t enough of a cause for celebration, the couple’s son Steven also shared his mother’s birthday.

Cynthia went on to realise another life dream when the couple had two boys, Steven and Christopher, and two girls, Janet and Clare, and their family was extended when 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren later came along.

Harold trained as a market gardener at age 15 before owning his own cleaning business and also volunteered as a part-time firefighter.

His wife made her living running a fruit shop for five years in Church Street, Padiham, and also worked as a secretary at Mullard Limited, Simonstone, and then at M&S Print, Burnley.

“My dad loves being outside, gardening, building with old stone and classic cars,” Clare said.

“My mum has always loved clothes, working part-time in ladies’ fashion at Checkmate Designer Wear, Whalley, after retirement, well into her 70s!

“She also likes reading, crosswords and keeping herself tip top with regular, sparkly manicures at Simply the Best and hair at Kellie Hughes, both in Whalley!

“She’s very organised and a hard worker and my dad’s a joker.

“We’ll always look up to them because they’ve instilled good values in all four of us.”