Couple from Peterborough share their secret to a long marriage as they celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary
A “fun” couple in their 90s have shared their secret to a long and happy relationship – as they prepare to mark a rare marriage milestone.
Ronald and Eileen Wightman celebrate their 75th diamond wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 26 with a family garden party at their home in Peterborough.
The couple, who knew each other as young teenagers in the city, began dating a few years later when Ronald left the Navy at age 18 due to an injury.
Daughter Julie explains: “One of their first dates was to go dancing at the Mansfield Palais, which was in Geneva street. They went dancing every Wednesday and Saturday."
It was just over two years later, in 1951, when Ronald and Eileen tied the knot at Peterborough Town Hall registry office.
Their mutual love of dancing, travel and having a “good laugh” has kept the spark alive since then.
"They have always enjoyed holidays together, in the UK and abroad to Spain, Greece, Malta and Majorca,” said Julie. “Their love of music and dancing has been constant throughout their marriage. Although they can no longer dance, they still love listening to music.”
Ronald, now 96, and Eileen, 94, say they attribute the success of their long marriage to “tolerance, being quick to forgive and a sense of humour”.
"They never went to bed on an argument,” Julie explains. “Even though they can’t get around as well as they used to, they still manage to eat out a couple of times a week. They have a good laugh and are fun to be with – they really are a diamond couple.”
Back in their younger days, Ron worked at Granville’s builders alongside his friend, Roy Setchfield. Later the two friends started up their own business.
"The two are still friends today,” adds Julie. “Mum first worked at the Co-op as a cashier, then later at Gibbs shoe shop. She finished her career at the shoe dept in Westgate House.”
The couple went on to have three children - John, Julie, and little brother Gary. Gary sadly died at the age of 55 on Christmas Eve, 2022.
The pair also have 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.