A diamond day for Sarah and Bob - family celebrations

It is luck, honesty and true love which has got Sarah and Bob to their diamond anniversary. Both born on July 1 just one year apart, Bob grew up in Shoreham after arriving in the back of an ambulance in 1939.

Sarah, née Slidel, is a Portsmouth girl, born in 1940, and met her future husband while they were both working at Smith and Vosper Bakery, Basin Street, North End, where she was a confectioner.

Sarah, 80, says: ‘Bob would sometimes bring the ingredients to me. He was always making people laugh and getting everyone to join in singing songs. I thought he was a bit flirty and a little show off!’

Bob admits he didn’t take much notice of Sarah until he saw her arrive in her normal ‘civvy’ clothing because previously he had only seen her in aprons and hair nets.

While they were courting, Bob and Sarah were regulars at the Savoy Ballroom, Southsea. Bob was ‘football mad’ and lived for playing at the weekends.

Bob, 81, says: ‘Sometimes we would go to the Centaur Pub on a Friday night with Sarah’s dad, Mr Slidel.’

‘Bob wore jeans to a date once and I refused to go out until he went home to get changed!,’ adds Sarah, laughing.

Bob was one of the last people to be called up for National Service.

There were rumours about a posting to Aden, Yemen, where he would be involved in action. The couple decided to get engaged.

Bob and Sarah married at All Saints Church, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, on December 17, 1960. They spent their honeymoon at the Corona Hotel, London.

Bob explains: ‘Two nights at the Corona Hotel cost £3.10. We still have the receipt.

‘We went out to the cinema in Leicester Square to see Elmer Gantry starring Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons and then on for a mixed grill.’

Bob and Sarah have three children – Allison, Mark and Glenn – and also eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

To celebrate this special milestone, Sarah and Bob enjoyed a lunch at The Red Lion, Chalton, with their son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Carly, who have the same anniversary.

When asked about the most important thing in a successful marriage, Bob answers: ‘Who knows? Marriage is a gamble.

‘People and things change over time and we just feel very lucky that we've been able to achieve this milestone.’

‘Honesty and we've always helped each other. I honestly can't remember too many arguments,’ adds Sarah, laughing.

Bob adds: ‘60 years feels no different really. When we really think about it, it's difficult to understand where all that time went.’

HAPPY Bob and Sarah in 1960. Above: The Jefferys with their card from the Queen.