Looking forward to celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary next Thursday are Gwen and Adam Anderson, of The Palms, 2 Imble Close, Pembroke Dock.

Gwen and Adam, who is of Polish nationality, were married 60 years ago on June 22, 1946, in Weston- Super-Mare, having met four years earlier when Gwen was just 16-and-a-half.

At the time, Gwen was living with her parents in Blackpool because her father had been posted there during the war.

"The town was full of Poles and Americans and my mother told me I was not to go out with any of them," explained Gwen, a well-known artist.

"I went to the Winter Gardens this one particular evening and as I was only 16-and-a-half I couldn't dance, so I was walking around the balcony.

"There was a young man coming in the opposite direction and as we passed we just smiled at each other and walked on. As we reached the other side, we met up again and in his broken English, he asked me if I would like to dance. I said I couldn't and he said he couldn't either, so we went and had a coffee instead."

Adam was then a cavalry officer in the Polish Army. He later joined the RAF and became a Squadron Leader bomber pilot.

"Adam said he would like to see me again. I said I was not allowed, but he said surely I could go for afternoon tea at his hotel," continued Gwen.

"I went home and told my mother I had met a lovely Polish officer and that he was ever so good looking and he had asked me to afternoon tea. She said I could go, as long as I didn't tell my father!"

Adam at the time was staying in a hotel. The owner, a Mrs. Gradwell, was moving to another hotel and while the move was being completed, all her belongings went into storage in an emporium. Unfortunately, a fire broke out and a lot of their personal property was lost.

"At the time my brother was working with Mrs. Gradwell's daughter and when he brought the sad news home, my mother offered to help out in any way she could.

"She spent an afternoon, washing some of the silver pots, cutlery and china which had been saved and afterwards went back for a cup of tea with Mrs. Gradwell. While she was there, Adam walked in and after meeting him and thinking how nice he was, she invited him to tea on the Sunday.

"When my mother came home and told me what she had done, I asked his name, and when she said Adam, I said that was the Polish officer I had met!." When Gwen's father was posted to Weston-Super- Mare, the couple said a fond farewell and Gwen thought that would be the last she saw of Adam. However, he travelled overnight to see her and their courtship duly continued and they became engaged when Gwen was 20.

The couple, who later became hoteliers in Bournemouth and Stockbridge in Hampshire, have two daughters, Beverley, who lives in Leamington Spa, and Maggie in Pembroke Dock.

They fell in love with Pembrokeshire after visiting former neighbours who lived in Penally and they, too, moved to the village 17 years ago.

The couple became well-known in the local community, both through Gwen's love of painting and her annual exhibition at Tenby's St. Johns Church Hall, and their shared hobby of playing bridge.

Gwen, who still enjoys playing bridge, is a former member of Tenby Players and was involved in a number of successful productions. She was also belonged to Penally WI and is now a keen member of Pembroke Dock Writers Group.

Although they did not have a recipe for a long and happy marriage, Adam said he 'wouldn't change a thing' about their life together.