The bus trip that led to 60 years of happiness
ACOUPLE who first met on a bus have made it all the way down the line together to reach their diamond anniversary.
Eddie and Mary Wilkins, 83 and 78, of Edgeley, celebrated 60 years of marriage with a surprise party organised by their family.
The couple have lived in Stockport since 1959 but married in Lichfield, north of Birmingham, at a registry office.
Initially they met on public transport as she was coming home from holiday and, although he was with his then girlfriend, he helped Mary with her case.
A short time later they got together and married on April 8, 1958.
Mary said: “The first time I ever met him was on a bus after I’d been away on holiday as a nanny.
“He helped me with my case and I thought he was handsome and a gentleman.
“I remember a little about our wedding day, it all went smoothly and we went for a drink in the pub afterwards.”
On moving to Stockport, the couple initially lived with Eddie’s sister, then on the now demolished School Street, Cheadle Heath, before moving to their current home on Ingleton Road in the 1970s.
Eddie worked as a JCB driver and Mary as a shop assistant at the Co-op and Debenhams.
They have three sons and two daughters, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandchild.
Among their shared hobbies are swimming and bowling, with the latter inspiring a friendly rivalry.
Mary said: “It can get quite competitive, I have to win and usually do. We do some things separately and other things together.”
The anniversary was celebrated with a telegram from the Queen and a party at the Railway Club on Edgeley Road.
Mary added: “I thought it was going to be a quiet family meal so we were shocked when we got there and there was 50 to 60 people.
“But it was great and we really enjoyed it.”