Wellingborough couple's night of movie magic led to a lifetime of love

A Wellingborough couple who met on a trip to the cinema will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with phone calls to their family.

Ray Line from Burton Latimer and Eva Marlow from Little Irchester bumped into each other at the Lyric Cinema in 1958, marrying two years later.

After marrying at Wellingborough's at the United Reformed Church on November, 26, the romantic couple lived in Little Irchester for 18 months before a move to Wellingborough.

Daughter Debbie Ealey said: "They are always holding hands. Their 'song' is A Summer Place so they must have been to seen that together .

"They knew each other a little bit before and they saw each other at the cinema when they were with friends.

"We couldn't have asked for a better or more loving couple. They are very much family orientated and love and do so much for us all."

Former plumber and heating engineer Ray started his working life in a shoe factory before learning his trade. He switched careers to work for British Leyland in Wellingborough but when made redundant he made use of his central heating skills and set up his own plumbing and heating business.

Meanwhile, Eva worked at Whitworths flour mills, in Little Irchester.

Ray and Eva were planning a party to celebrate their 60 years but because of the Covid pandemic they will be at home taking phone calls from Suffolk where daughter Debbie, 58, and her husband Colin, and son Martyn, 53, and partner Jane live.

Also calling up will be the couple's grandchildren Jason, 34, Michael, 32, and Alex, 18, and great granddaughters Lia and Evie.

Diamond wedding celebrations will be postponed to create a joint party to mark Ray's 80th birthday next March.

The couple who are still active enjoy keeping busy Eva with cooking and Ray gardening.

Debbie added: "It's very hard for them at the moment. They have been planning the party since mum's 80th in January when she said she wanted a little get together.

"They are very family orientated and will be happy with phone calls."