Sixty years of wedded bliss for Clanfield couple

Married on February 11, 1961, in Essex, Diane, 79 – née Withey – and Dudley, 82, both grew up in the same town in the county and remember their first date on September 1, 1957, like it was yesterday.

They first met when Diane was 15 and Dudley was 18 while she was watching him play cricket with her friend. Dudley gave her a lift home and, as they say, the rest is history.

For their honeymoon, they travelled to Mousehole, Cornwall, on the train and spent a few wonderful days on the coast.

The Parkers – who have lived in Clanfield since 1977 – have three children Kevin, Keith and Jo and now have nine grandchildren.

Diane and Dudley’s anniversary celebration with their family is on hold until lockdown is over and they and their family are looking forward to being reunited.