FORGET a bit of ‘give and take’, the secret to a lasting marriage is love, agreed a couple from Evesham who have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Rodney and Ann Dyke, from Abbey Lane, met at Holy Trinity Church in Worcester in 1959 – when she was an 18-year-old choir member and he, aged 20, a cross bearer – and since then they have never been apart.

Rodney said: “I was drafted into the Army later that year and worked in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. I was posted to Antwerp, in Belgium, for two years, and Ann came out with me.

“We were married back in England at Holy Trinity Church in 1961. I was a typewriter mechanic by trade at that time while Ann worked in a baby shop, in Bridge Street, Worcester.

“I later became a verger at Worcester Cathedral, and I mixed and matched these two professions before becoming an engineer at the Worcester telephone exchange. Ann became a housewife to look after our two children Wendy and Philip.”

The couple also have three grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Rodney added: “The secret to a lasting marriage is love. You have got to love and care for one another, and it all falls into place quite simply then. If you don’t, there’s no point getting married.

“My wife is a wonderful cook, and to celebrate our anniversary she cooked me my favourite meal of roast beef here at the house. Our family popped in throughout the day as well to wish us well.

“There was also a little party organised at All Saints Church House on Sunday for friends and family.”