THERE was a double celebration in Neyland this week as a couple marked their diamond wedding anniversary and an 80th birthday.

Mary and Billy Barrett were married on March 30, 1955 in Neyland Wesley Chapel, having met as teenagers at a dance in the town’s old pavilion.

Mary said: “Billy walked me home that night and it all went from there.”

The couple courted for five years while Billy did his National Service and Mary worked at a chemist in Milford Haven.

Billy asked Mary’s father if he could marry her and was told he could do so when Mary turned 20.

Mary said: “I turned 20 on the Sunday and we were married on the Wednesday.”

Mary and Billy have three children, seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and have lived at their home in Frederick Street since the early 1970s.

During his working life Billy worked on building sites and at the Gulf Refinery, while Mary raised the family and enjoyed 30 years of singing with Neyland Ladies Choir.

Asked what the secret of a long and happy marriage is, they both said it was “hard work and pulling together.”

“We’re just good friends”, said Mary.

“I really can’t believe it’s been 60 years. It’s gone so quickly."

To celebrate their anniversary, Billy and Mary held a big party in Neyland Athletic Club on Saturday night, with 60 members of their friends and family. The celebration was also to mark Mary turning 80 on Friday.

“It was a wonderful night,” said Mary, “with a cake and lots of cards, including one from the Queen.”