SIXTY years after their first chance meeting at a dance in Barton, Jean and Arthur Taylor celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary today.

Despite living close to each other in Sandhills and Barton for the first 20 years of their lives, the couple had never met.

They only realised that their fathers had been drinking buddies for years at The Fox in Barton, which is now closed, when they began to plan their wedding.

Mrs Taylor, nee Woodington, said she decided to go along to the Barton Dance Hall in March 1950, though she was definitely not looking for love.

Mrs Taylor, 79, said: “I was right off men at the time I remember. But then we saw each other across the room and Arthur asked me to dance, and that was that.

“We met in March and were married the following year.”

The couple wed at St Andrew’s Church, Headington, and for the first 10 years of their married life lived in Slade Close before moving to Horspath Road, where they live now.

Mrs Taylor said the secret to a long and happy marriage was trust. She said: “You have your ups and downs over the years but I think it is down to a bit of give and take, and above all, trust.”

Mr Taylor, 84, said he was first attracted to his wife’s smile.

He added: “We just get on so very well.

“We enjoy sharing things and doing things together. I think that is the main thing.

“Give and take, and just enjoying each other’s company a lot.”

The couple never had children but they said they have had a lot of love from pets over the years.