Inspirational couple's marriage milestone
THIS inseparable pair feel the same about each other now as they did on their wedding day – 65 years ago.
Eric and Joan Parker, of Churchill Avenue, Keelby, are celebrating a momentous marriage milestone few manage to reach.
Described as an "inspiration" by their family, the pair met at the tender age of 18 at Eric's brother, Albert's, wedding to Mary Parker (no relation at the time) where Joan was a guest.
A farm worker at Riby Grange Farm, Eric made a beeline for Joan and the pair started courting and then married two years later.
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Eric worked on the farm for 49 years, climbing the ranks to farm foreman while Joan worked at Keelby Primary School as an assistant cook.
They have enjoyed a traditional life together, living off the farm, which provided a great place for their boys, John, 63, and Michael, 56, to grow up.
Eric said: "It was brilliant. I would do it all again if I could. I would get up at 5am, get the horses ready, at 6.40am I would go out to work and wouldn't finish until 5pm. Then I would work until 1pm on Saturday.
"We both worked together. We have been a good team and she is an excellent cook, which was definitely needed. It has been a very happy marriage."
They married at Keelby's St Bartholomew's Church followed by a reception at the village hall – where they have celebrated their ruby, gold and diamond anniversaries – and enjoyed a three-tier cake made from South African fruits sent over by Eric's brother, Ron, who was serving in the army out there.
This year's anniversary was a little more low key due to Joan's health, but they have enjoyed flowers and best wishes from all their friends and family, and their third congratulations from the Queen, who also celebrates her 65th anniversary to Prince Philip on Monday, November 19.
Eric added: "The secret to any long marriage is working together. I don't feel any different now to the day I met her. We have always had a good laugh together.
"Getting to 65 years is an achievement – we never thought we would get to it."
Joan and Eric love spending time with their growing family, who they are "very proud" of, including Michael's wife Sue and John's wife, Sylvia, their grandchildren, Charlotte, Kevin, Lisa and James and great-grandchildren, Abigail, Jamie and Jack.
John's wife, Sylvia, said: "They are an inspiration to the rest of the family. They have taken a real interest in the rest of the family and do lots for everyone. They love looking after the rest of us."
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