Active Thurcroft couple celebrate six decades of wedded happiness

Dennis and Olive Haywood had a busy day on Thursday as streams of well-wishers called in to their St Edmonds Avenue home for a visit.

The couple were married on 15th September 1951 at Laughton Church.

After they were married the couple made their home in Thurcroft, where they have lived happily for the last 60 years.

“We first met when I was playing football at Laughton,” said Dennis.

“Olive lived opposite the football ground and came down to watch us play.”

Born and bred in Thurcroft, Dennis worked all his life as a coal miner in the village.

Olive, originally from Laughton, worked at Byfords in Maltby.

The couple, both 81, have one son, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

To celebrate their special anniversary the couple had a party for family and friends at the Gordon Bennett Memorial Hall in Thurcroft.

“It was a great night and we had about 70-odd people there with us, which was really nice.”

“And my son and daughter-in-law are taking us to Melrose in Scotland, which was a total surprise.”

Despite their age, the fun-loving couple are very active and go sequence dancing five times a week. “Dance is our life,” added Dennis.

“I used to play music in the band for a long time as well.”

And the secret to a long and happy marriage?

“I do what I’m told, said Dennis. “But really, you just have to take life as it comes.”

The couple thanked everyone who called by to see them on their special day.

And they had a special thank you for their daughter-in-law Shirley Haywood for organising their card from the Queen.