Kidderminster couple celebrate their diamond wedding (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Kidderminster couple celebrate their diamond wedding

7:50am Thursday 1st March 2012 in News By William Tomaney

A KIDDERMINSTER couple who got off to a ‘bumpy’ start are celebrating their diamond wedding today.

Robert and Elsie Hart met on Christmas Eve, 1949 on the bumper cars at the Market Street fairground in the town.

The couple married 60 years ago, on March 1, 1952 at St Mary’s and All Saints Church.

Mr Hart, 81, said: “Me and my friend were riding the dodgems at the fairground. We decided to keep ramming into two girls who were on the cars at the same time.

“One of them was Elsie. We talked outside after we got off the ride and spent the rest of the evening together. We then dated regularly, visiting local pubs.”

Before they were married, Mr Hart was in the RAF.“The first time I met Elsie I was not in my uniform and when I told her I was in the RAF, she did not believe me,” said Mr Hart. “She got quite a shock when she saw me in uniform the next time.”

He proposed to her on the bridge in Springfield Lane, Broadwaters.

Later, Mr Hart worked as an electrician for B French Ltd and Mrs Hart worked in the carpet industry for Naylors.

The couple have two daughters, Lynette, 58 and Julie, 53, as well as two grandchildren.

“We tried to give them an interesting life and do things that would not break the bank,” Mr Hart said.

He added they did not yet know how they would be celebrating the big day.

He said: “We are not sure yet – our daughters have got a surprise for us.”

Lynette said: “We would like to say congratulations to our wonderful parents on their diamond wedding anniversary.

“They have been a total inspiration to us and we thank them for everything they have done over the years.”

Mr Hart said the secret to their successful marriage was mutual respect for each other.

He said: “We believe in give and take. If you have a tiff, mend it right away and do not dwell on it.”