IT WAS a case of love at first sight for a Wythall couple who have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary.
When 23-year-old Vera first laid eyes on Derek in 1950 she knew she was going to marry him.
Working in her local pharmacy, Derek approached her to get a roll of film developed, and she turned to a colleague afterwards and said ‘I’m going to marry that fella’.
Now 70 years later, aged 96, Vera said: “There was just something about him. I thought he’s a lovely bit of alright. He kept coming into the shop after that – I couldn’t keep him away.”
Derek later plucked up the courage to ask her on a date, which they spent at the Carlton Cinema.
Vera wasn’t too impressed by Derek eating all the Turkish Delights she had bought for her mother, though.
Their passion for caravanning took them all over Europe, but it was Norway that held a special place in their hearts.
Derek said: “We loved Norway and even met the King and Queen whilst we were there. Not that we knew it was them – a waitress told us after they’d left the restaurant. We’d been chatting for ages with them.”
Vera, who rove a Civil Defence Ambulance in the war, was happy to take to the wheel of the caravan.
And their secret to a long-lasting marriage, Vera said: “Even after all these years we have never had a row. If we’ve got a problem we sit down and talk it over. If you do that you can have a better life with anybody.”
The pair celebrated with Wiltshire Farm Foods Birmingham, who treated them to champagne and afternoon tea, along with the neighbours who joined in the fun.
