A SOLVA couple is celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary today (May 8).

Denny and Joan Thomas from Bro Dawel married 60 years ago at Haverfordwest Registry Office.

They met when Londoner Joan came to St Davids for a holiday with Denny’s sister. Denny was on leave from the Royal Air Force at the time.

They said the key to their long marriage is to give and take, although their children often joke ‘mum gives and dad takes.’

Joan, aged 88, was born in Battersea and trained as a nurse in Cardiff before taking a job at St Brides Hospital in Pembrokeshire. In later life she worked at hotels in St Non’s, Whitesands, Warpool Court and The Grove, before retiring at the age of 72.

Denny, aged 81, was born in St Davids and served with the Royal Air Force from 1950 to 1955, based at Southern Rhodesia. He spent the next 40 years as a self-employed stonemason, before hanging up his tools 10 years ago.

The couple have three sons, Alan, Barry and Chris, eight grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren, with the latest addition born this week.

Joan said: “There is never a dull moment, although I don’t know how on earth I’ve put up with him for 60 years.”

Denny said: “If I have a row I never answer back. I just try to look intelligent.”

Her Majesty the Queen sent the couple a card for their diamond wedding anniversary, and it has taken pride of place on the mantelpiece.