THERE were diamond wedding anniversary celebrations yesterday (Thursday) for Harry and Ethel Dickenson, of Narberth.
Mr. and Mrs. Dickenson, of 13 Belmore Gardens, first met in the 'Haymaker' public house in Walsall in 1941.
After leaving school at the age of 14, Mr. Dickenson learnt his trade as an electro-plater in Walsall.
The couple married at St. Peters Church in Walsall on May 2, 1942.
Mr. Dickenson was then called up for military service in the Royal Eniskillen Fusiliers, seeing action overseas, while during the war, Mrs. Dickenson worked on a tapping machine in Walsall.
On demobilisation, Mr. Dickenson started-up his own electro-plating and brass-polishing firm, with Mrs. Dickenson joining him in the business.
The couple moved to Pembrokeshire 36 years ago, living in Hebron and Kilgetty, before settling down in their current home in Narberth.
Having continued the family business in South Pembrokeshire for some time, the couple are now enjoying their retirement and spend their time pottering around the garden.
When asked the secret of their long and happy marriage, Mrs. Dickenson revealed that "you must learn to give and take."
The couple celebrated their anniversary quietly at home with their family and friends and were delighted to receive a congratulatory message from Buckingham Palace.
The couple have two children, a son Peter, who also lives in Narberth, and a daughter Mary, who lives in Glandy Cross. They also have seven grandchildren, Mary, Hazel, Wendy, Angela, Gayle, Mandy and Tony, and 14 great-grandchildren.