Huge get-together as pair celebrate 65th anniversary

Simsons mark milestone with gathering

A couple have celebrated the longevity of their marriage after having spent 65 years together.

Freddie and Sheila Simson had a huge family gathering on February 5 - the day of their wedding in Epsom, Surrey in 1955.

The couple met at a dance as teenagers, Sheila being 16 and Freddie being 15.

Following a whirlwind romance, the couple officially became husband and wife two years after they first spoke.

Starting to build a family, and having moved home quite a bit - first to Wallington in Surrey for 20 years and to France for 16 years - they decided to settle down in Ashford’s Orchard Heights.

Now 82 and 83 years old respectively, Freddie and Sheila have three children who are following in their parents’ footsteps in terms of a long espousal.

Freddie, who ran a flooring business for 40 years, proudly notes: “All of them are still married - first a son, married for 40 years, followed quickly by our eldest daughter who celebrates 45 years of marriage this year.

“Our second daughter followed some years later and has now been married for 30 years.

“As a result we have six grandchildren, five of whom are grown up and our youngest, aged 14, who is at school in Faversham.

“We have seven great grandchildren the eldest of which is 12 and lives in Evesham. “Another is due in May.”

The whole extended family came down to the family party to celebrate their milestone.

The former businessman was overjoyed by the event, saying: “It really is logistically very difficult to get everyone to be free at any one time, and we were delighted that they could all make it.”

When asked for the secret to marital happiness after 65 years, Mr Simson said: “Start young, be tolerant and enjoy each other’s company. Equality and commitment to one another is above all else.”

The couple have plans to travel to France and Turkey later in the year, not slowing down from their 50th anniversary trip to New Zealand - where Freddie tried paragliding for the first time.

The octogenarian pair still regularly attend dancing lessons, and frequently visit the Stour Centre for both badminton and pilates.

The whole family gathered to give their best wishes to Freddie and Sheila Simson as they celebrated their anniversary

Sheila and Freddie Simson were married in 1955