Kentish Express Ashford & District
Plenty of banter keeps marriage long and happy
Give and take might be the secret to a 65-year long and happy marriage.
This is according to Frank and Gwen May, who celebrated the milestone anniversary yesterday (Wednesday).
The couple married at St Mary The Virgin Church, in Bentley Road, Willesborough, on September 23, in 1950.
They had met two years earlier on a coach trip, and their first date was a trip to the cinema.
Asked what the key to a strong marriage is, Mrs May, 85, responded: “Give and take.”
Mr May, now 87, added: “When we got married, people didn’t get divorced.”
As well as living as man and wife for more than six decades, the couple have also worked together.
They bought a general store from a Mr Couldray in Osborne Road, Willesborough, in 1956.
They renamed it Mays Stores, and ran it for 16 years, selling just about everything you could ever need.
Eventually, they realised they could make more money by going back to working for others, and Mr May, a former soldier who served in both Malaya and Hong Kong, took a job at Batchelors, and Mrs May took up an office position. They converted the shop into a home, where they still live today.
Mr and Mrs May are the parents of Sue, who was born in 1954, and grandparents to Keith, 38, and Ian, 36.
Sue, 61, said of her parents: “They are devoted to each other and look after each other.
“For a marriage to last that long is a miracle really.
“They are a nice couple, friendly and outgoing. They have banter together.
“That is what makes a marriage work, when you can get along.”
The family will celebrate the anniversary with a meal at the Black Lion in Appledore at the weekend.
Daughter Sue has also arranged for a telegram from the Queen, which will be their second as they also got one on their 60th anniversary.