A CARD from the Queen is among the many on the mantelpiece of Bridlington couple John and Pauline Best, who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.
John, now 86, had been in the Marines and was involved in four invasions during World War Two before his 21st birthday. After the war, he found himself in Bridlington at the North East School of Wireless Telegraphy, training for the Merchant Navy.
It was during his time here that John, originally from the Leeds area, met Pauline at a Saturday night half crown dance at The Spa.
"He had two left feet and couldn't do the waltz," Pauline, 82, recalled.
However, this failed to put Pauline off and the couple were married on July 19 1950 in Bridlington, where they settled.
Shortly after getting married, John was asked to go away for two years with the Merchant Navy. Not wanting to leave his new wife, he left the Navy and began working on deep sea tugs and trawlers.
"Anything that would sail I was on it," he said. He later went on to work for the council's housing department. Pauline worked in shops in Bridlington, finally retiring at the age of 70.
The couple have two sons, Nicholas and Jason and two grandchildren, Amy and Sam. They will celebrate the milestone with a family party this weekend.
"We're both really looking forward to it," Pauline said.
And the key to a long, happy marriage?
"We do everything together," Pauline said.
