Diamond duo mark 60 years together

Diamond couple . . . Brian and Beryl Spencer

WHAT'S the secret to a long-lasting marriage? Get the right man, of course!

That's the simple advice from Beryl Spencer (née Iberson) who has spent 60 happy years with the love of her life, Brian Spencer (82).

They will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with a family meal.

The couple met in the summer of 1956 while ballroom dancing at the Tommy Smith's centre off Henshaw Street in Oldham.

Beryl (81) said: "He asked me to dance with him. Then he said can I take you home and that was it. We walked home because there were no buses. He took me to my home in Lees and then we arranged to meet the following Sunday.

"He was really good looking. He used to have a moustache and dark curly hair."

Beryl and Brian went to a film at the Grosvenor Cinema in Union Street and the rest, as they say, is history.

"I thought he was a bit on the quiet side," said Beryl. "He was a very quiet person ­- he still is. But then again I am one of 11 children, I talk enough for the both of us. So we're well-matched!

The lovebirds, of Shore Avenue in Shaw, married at the Oldham registry office on March 9, 1957. The went on to have four children - Ian, Martin, Lesley and Gillian - eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Beryl worked in the cotton mills, taking a break when she had the children, as well as working at Park Cake Bakery. Brian worked as a carpet fitter at the Watson Store in Glodwick Road and did two years national service in Germany before he got married.

The couple did own their own newsagents in Nugget Street, Glodwick, for 11 years but had to give it up when the area was being re-developed.

Beryl said: "I loved it. I wanted another but Brian didn't like the early mornings. It was great, meeting different people, having a chat."

Sadly, Brian, who celebrated his 82nd birthday in February, got Alzheimer's disease four years ago. He went from being a very independent man who walked everywhere and went swimming, to staying full-time at St George's care home in Moorside. Devoted Beryl visits him every day.

"Get the right man," Beryl said, when asked the secrets to staying married for so long. "Everything Brian has done has been for his home and family. He's done as much as can for all of us. He's a gem."