Couple who married in Southwater in 1961 celebrate diamond wedding anniversary

Roger and Doris Gibson (nee Radford) married at Holy Innocents Church in Southwater on March 11, 1961, and say their magic ingredients for a long and happy marriage are laughter, patience and of course, enduring love.

Doris and Roger met when they worked at Peter Dominic’s Off Licence in the Carfax in the late 1950s.

For Roger this was a part-time job in between terms at Caius College, Cambridge, where he was studying classics on a scholarship

Doris worked at several retail outlets in the town centre including Coralls Coal before having children.

Their first marital home was a small flat on the corner of Norfolk Road/Chichester Terrace before moving to Farhalls Crescent.

After the arrival of their third child they moved to Crawley in 1972 and still live in the same house in Gossops Green almost 50 years later.

Roger enjoyed a successful career in the London Council (later the GLC) and Doris was a well-known face on the front tills WHSmith in Crawley.

Doris was unable to celebrate her 80th last year, so her family are trying to make their diamond celebrations something to remember despite not being able to get together in person.

Their celebrations would have ideally involved a gathering of family and friends but due to the current restrictions that’s simply not possible.

Fortunately, their three children, Claire, Paul and Susannah have a few tricks up their sleeve to help them celebrate memorably, albeit virtually.