Peter and Margaret Gowing from Norwich fell in love at first sight when they were on a group outing in 1954.
The couple, who have five sons and three daughters, 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, were engaged after five months of courtship.
They married on 11 June 1955 at Belvoir Street Chapel when Peter was 27 and Margaret had turned 21. Mr Gowing, 86, worked as a Millwright after leaving school at 14 and was responsible for servicing machinery in windmills across East Anglia for F. Flowerdew & Son.
He later went on to work as a mill engineer before retiring at the age of 75.
Before raising the couple’s children, Mrs Gowing, 81, worked at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital as an Almoner’s Clerk after studying at Underwood Secretarial College.
The couple started off married life in Lincoln Street but later moved to Park Lane in the late 1960s where they still live today.
When asked their secret for a long and happy marriage Margaret replied ‘give and take’ before Peter joked: “I call Margaret ‘she who must be obeyed’, you’ve got to have a sense of humour.”
The couple are still very active and only have a couple of days a week to themselves.
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Amongst many commitments Mrs Gowing is the deputy organist at Trunch Methodist Church in North Norfolk and helps out at a luncheon club every Monday.
Mr Gowing is the chairman of Cromer and Sheringham Brass Band and has played the cornet for over 60 years having also played for Dereham Band and Aylsham Band.
Mr Gowing continues to tend his allotment keeping the family in fruit and vegetables, he said: “It is our lifestyle that keeps us going.”
The couple have holidayed at Mundesley for over 40 years and continue to stay in their caravan in the village every week.
Mr Gowing said: “We love the peace and quiet of Mundesley, it has a lovely beach and we have made a lot of friends there.”
The couple celebrated 60 years together at an event on Saturday with over 60 family members.
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