Littlehampton couple’s marriage has stood test of time

Mary and Bev have been the village’s official historians since the 1980s and, through painstaking research, have pieced together the events which shaped their seaside community.

This week, though, they reflected on the more personal story of their married life, as they relaxed at their home in North Lane following their diamond anniversary party.

Their own history as a couple began in the summer of 1950, with Bev waiting on the doorstep of the Lamb Inn, where his parents were the licensees, to welcome customers at lunchtime.

His eye was caught by a young woman cycling past on her way home for lunch – and Mary soon noticed that every day she rode by, he was there, watching her.

Eventually he plucked up the courage to ask her out, drawing alongside her on his motorcycle.

She agreed, and the following Thursday, when both had a day off, they took the train to Brighton.

“We started talking, and it was as if we had known each other all our lives. People say there is no such thing as love at first sight, but believe me, this was love at first sight,” said Bev.

They married at Rustington Parish Church the following October, both aged 21.

Bev worked as an engineer at Ford and Tangmere airfields, but while at the latter, suffered a serious spinal injury which, combined with throat cancer shortly afterwards, effectively ended his working life.

Around this time, Mary had begun her historical research and writing – she has since produced nine books on various aspects of Rustington’s history – and the opportunity for them to work together on projects proved to be the perfect antidote for Bev after his career was cruelly cut short.

He designed and laid out most of Mary’s books and keeps on top of their extensive archive of old photographs, postcards, documents and other material related to Rustington.

They founded Rustington Heritage Association in 1983, Mary serving as chairman and, now, life president.

She was also a parish councillor in the 1980s and is on the management committee for the new Rustington Museum and café and a Rustington Twinning Association committee member.

She and Bev are also stewards at the museum.

They have two sons, Andrew and Graeme, and seven grandchildren.

“We have had a wonderful life together,” said Mary.