Couple celebrates diamond wedding anniversary
Mavis and Robert Cowling were married 60 years ago today, after meeting as teenagers in Chorley.
The pair was surprised with a diamond wedding anniversary party this week at the day centre Robert visits, which Mavis described as “wonderful”.
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Hide AdCarers at Fosterfield Day Centre in Chorley organised the surprise event on Tuesday, when Robert was spending time in the centre.
Mavis said: “It’s been wonderful. I didn’t know a thing about it.
“We just thought we were going for a cake and bunch of flowers. “But we had a cake and a drink and a game of bingo and some champagne - we had a wonderful day.
“I was in tears nearly because I was so thrilled to bits.”
Mavis and Robert are both 82, marking their birthdays within a week of each other in May.
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Hide AdThe pair met when they were 18, when Mavis and her friend were at the cinema in Chorley.
She said: “Me and my friend were coming out and two soldiers came walking up, and we got chatting.”
One of the soldiers was Robert, and Mavis said: “We started courting and he went in the army.
“We were courting for four years, and I used to write to him.
“He was in Egypt doing National Service.”
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Hide AdMr and Mrs Cowling were married on September 15 1956, at St Laurence’s Church in Chorley. The grandparents of one and great-grandparents of two have lived in Chorley throughout their married life.
Robert worked as a labourer on building sites until he suffered a serious accident, where he fell through a roof.
He later worked for Leyland Motors.
Mavis worked as a weaver in a factory, before becoming a care assistant.
She said: “I don’t know what the secret is.
“We fall out, but if we fall out we always make it up.
“That’s the secret, being friendly and never bearing a grudge.”
Mr and Mrs Cowling are also planning to celebrate their anniversary today, with family and friends.