Anniversary: Rodney and June Stanley - 60 years and still in love

Photo: Howard Wilkinson Photography

Rodney and June Stanley celebrate their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary

Rodney and June Stanley, who have just celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, have revealed their secrets to a long and happy marriage.

Rodney and June fell in love whilst working together at Rochdale Borough Council in 1950, and despite moving into different lines of work they have remained inseparable ever since. By 1956, wedding bells were chiming as the pair tied the knot at St Luke’s Church in Heywood.

Six decades have passed since that day, and now with two children and four grandchildren, Rodney and June say they are still as in love as ever.

The secret, says June, is as simple as being there to make the other person smile. She said: “It’s really quite simple, we just get on so well. We always have. When we met we never dreamed of coming this far together, but in real life time goes fast.

“We were just teenagers in love, we never thought we would end up here six decades later, but it is wonderful. We are still here and still happy, and we have four wonderful grandchildren to show for it.”

While Rodney spent his working years in the education sector, June moved over into administration and ended up running the day-to-day workings of the Gracie Fields Theatre.

June remembers they had a passion for playing badminton together, she said: “Rodney was a badminton coach, he loved it, and we enjoyed doing it together. It was great fun.”

Rodney, now 83, and June, 81, are enjoying a peaceful life at home with regular visits from their grandchildren Mitchel, Emilia, Isabella and Francesca.

June added: “It’s not always easy with them at university, one of them lives in London and we don’t get to see them as often as we’d like, but we have a great family. It was wonderful to have them all together for our anniversary party.”

As a special gift, the children and grandchildren organised for local photographer Howard Wilkinson to go to their home and surprise them with professional photos that they can keep as a souvenir.

Daughter Bev Wrigley said: “My mum and dad are really wonderful people and it was great to be a part of their 60th wedding anniversary. The photos are fantastic, we are over the moon with them. It really was a great day.”

Rodney and June said they are now looking forward to their 65th wedding anniversary.