Congratulations to young-at-heart Feltham couple Henry and Hetty Stansby, who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today.
The devoted couple have lived at Shelson Avenue, Feltham, for almost 50 years and were both born and bred in the area. They married in what was St Catherine's Church, in Feltham High Street, where Hetty's grandparents had tied the knot 48 years earlier.
Henry, 87, sometimes known as Stan, and Hetty, 78, have raised four children and are now grandparents to six, and greatgrandparents to six, with another little one on the way shortly.
The perfectly-matched pair met through a relationship between Henry's best friend Frank Turner and Hetty's sister Rose. Hetty said: "We decided to make it a foursome." Frank and Rose also married, a year later, although, sadly, Rose has now passed on.
The couple are very clear on what they believe to be the secret of their successful marriage. Hetty said: "It's give and take. Henry does the giving and I do the taking - I'm happy with that."
As former employees of EMI, a company once based in Feltham, the happy couple often holiday abroad and meet with their ex-colleagues. Henry spent 35 years there as a draughtsman, while Hetty was an administration assistant.
They both believe their marriage owes a lot to their close-knit family, including their children, Jackie, Jill, Peter and Martin.
Proud son Martin described his parents as: "Always being up and about. You'll come round the house and they're not there. When you ring them you'll find out they've gone to Somerset."
The couple also embark on outings closer to home, as they regularly enjoy walking in Bushy Park and Richmond Park.
"We like walking, we go about two or three times a week," said Hetty, who insists neither of them feels old. When not walking and holidaying, the couple enjoy visiting other members of the family and say their home and garden are their hobbies.
Speaking of their greatest achievement, Hetty said: "We've had four great children, that we're very proud of."
They will be celebrating at a party for 50 family and friends on Saturday.
