A pair of sisters have had a gem of a week after they both marked their diamond wedding anniversaries – on the SAME DAY.
Shirley and Christine married best friends Leslie Ralph and Bob Handley in the same ceremony on October 29, 1955 – and remarkably all four are still as close as ever.
Now, 60 years later, Shirley Ralph and Christine Handley were all smiles again after celebrating 60 years of marriage on Thursday.
The loved-up foursome first locked eyes while dancing at Pleasurama in Thanet, Kent, and have never looked back.
Now Shirley, 80, is a mum-of-four and has two grandchildren and a great-grandchild, while younger sister Christine, 79, has seven children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Big sis Shirley, a retired sewer, lives in Broadstairs, Kent, with husband Leslie, 82.
She said: “We always used to like to go dancing together.
“Leslie and Bob didn’t like to dance but they were waiting afterwards for us at Dreamland.
“We thought it was rather nice to get married at the same time.
“I can’t believe it has been quite so long but the four of us have always been very close.
“We all get on very well.”
Shirley and Christine married their childhood sweethearts Leslie and Bob, who are best friends, at the Thanet Registry Office on October 29, 1955, in Thanet, Kent.
Housewife Christine and retired Army driver Bob, 82, live in nearby Margate, Kent.
Christine said: “I can’t really believe it’s our diamond wedding anniversary.
“I’m really excited and I’m really surprised that the four of us have made it.”
To celebrate they will be enjoying a special afternoon tea today and next month they will be having a meal with all the family.
