TEAMWORK and plenty of gardening is the number one tip for a long and successful marriage as a Solihull couple celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
Ronald and Dorothy Gamsby experienced love at first sight when they met in the early 1950’s in Malta whilst Ronald was stationed there and Dorothy worked in a shop.
Both moved back to the UK in 1954 with Ronald commuting to Kent, Southend and London on a regular basis to stay in touch with Dorothy until the couple tied the knot on September 24 1955.
Since purchasing their first house for just £2,000, both Ronald and Dorothy haven’t looked back.
After receiving a commemorative personal message from Her Majesty the Queen, Ronald told The Observer: “We’ve looked after each other and used teamwork to help us through our marriage – that’s the secret.
“There’s been so many fantastic memories from our family holidays in Malta to all the gardening we’ve done since our retirement.”
Parents to four loving daughters and a son, with 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, the couple have worked all their lives until eventually retiring in 1999.
A former Corporal, Ronald was successful on the bowling green, he added: “As a family we always enjoyed bowls and experienced great success.
“It’s memories like that which have opitimised our marriage and having fun along the way is what it’s all about.”
Ronald worked as a window cleaner and ran his own business whilst Dorothy worked in a motor spares factory and as a cleaner in the Homes Gaurds Club in Hall Green – whilst also bringing up the children.
Daughter Yvonne Waite, who currently lives in London, added: “They’re a hardworking, character-filled couple and you can guarantee whenever anyone visits there’s plenty of food to eat.
“They are great parents and often made me laugh, my Dad in particular who appeared on the TV show ‘Making Faces’ which showed a hospital making his new ear – following skin cancer which resulted in his original ear being surgically removed.
“He currently has one tanned ear for summer and another for winter.”
