CELEBRATIONS Devoted couple met at hall

A HUSBAND and wife who fell in love at first sight at a Valleys hall more than 60 years ago have celebrated their diamond wedding.

Pontypridd couple Rhys and Wyn Rogers marked six decades of marriage last week as they received a card off the Queen and had a special visit from the mayor.

The celebrations also included a surprise barge trip.

The couple met at the town’s Corporation Hall in the 1950s and say it was love at first sight. They have been at each other’s sides ever since.

They got married on July 20, 1957, and hosted a reception at the Merlin Hotel in Pontypridd before heading off to Torquay on their honeymoon.

At the time of their wedding, Elvis Presley topped the music charts with All Shook Up, Sterling Moss won the British Grand Prix held at Aintree and The Sky at Night, with Patrick Moore, was among the UK’s most popular television programmes.

Mr Rogers, 84, was born in Pontypridd and left school at the age of 15 to pursue a carpentry apprenticeship. He later served in Malaysia with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Regiment 2nd Battalion.

Mrs Rogers, 80, was born in Porth and was one of 10 children. She worked for most of her life in the textile industry.

The couple have three children – Jayne, Kay and Michael – and five grandchildren – Jenna, James, Rhys, Hannah and Caitlin.

They celebrated their diamond wedding with a surprise barge trip, where they were joined by family and friends, along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Rhondda Cynon Taf mayor, Margaret Tegg, went to congratulate the couple.

She said: “It was an absolute pleasure to go along and meet Mr and Mrs Rogers on their special day.

“They have the perfect marriage and it was clear to see they are surrounded by the love of both their family and friends.

“I wish them well on their special day and many more years of happiness together.”