Sixty happy years for diamond Kettering couple who fell in love at dance

A couple who met at a dance nearly 63 years ago are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today (Thursday, March 26).

Gordon and Maria Johnson met on September 21, 1957, at a dance at the Palais de Danse in Leicester, the bride-to-be's home town.

The pair continued their long-distance courtship with Gordon driving to Leicester twice-a-week, by writing letters and travelling to see each other by train.

Engaged in 1959, the couple tied the knot at St Peters RC Church in Leicester on March 26, 1960.

As a wedding present a guest had placed a bet for the bride on the Grand National which took place on the same day.

The favourite, Merryman II, romped home in first place winning for the newlywed Maria.

After their honeymoon in London spent at the Pembroke Court Hotel in London, the happy couple moved in with Gordon’s parents in Waverley Road, Kettering until they were able to buy their own house.

The couple have a daughter Deborah and a son Ian, and have four granddaughters.

After retiring from Staples Printers, dog-lover Maria opened a kennels for holidaying canines. She now spends much of her time tending her beloved garden.

Former carer Gordon is a keen drummer, painter, poet and lover of music and literature. He is also an elder at Rothwell United Reform Church.

Daughter Deborah says that the secret to their 60 years of marriage is 'just getting on with it’.