WHEN Rosemary Smy began her job in a grocery shop in 1949 she didn’t think she would end up serving her future husband.

The then 21-year-old Bill Clarke kept coming into Hooper’s in Rose Hill to buy some cakes but also, he later admitted, because he liked the girl serving him.

Mrs Clarke said: “The rest of the staff stood back and let me serve him. He came in regularly and I was wondering who he was.

“I was saying this to one of the ladies I was working with, and that turned out to be his sister.

“He then asked me out and we have been friends and lovers ever since.”

The couple got married on August 4, 1951, at St Michael and All Angels church in Summertown and then went to live in Dry Sandford. They have now lived in Old Marston for 46 years and have two children, Jackie and Nigel, three grandchildren, John, Mark , and Tia, and three great-grandchildren, Marie, Nicole, and Noah.

Mrs Clarke, 79, said: “Our wedding was a lovely day. The church was crowded. I sent the taxi driver to the church to make sure Bill was there.

“We couldn’t afford a honeymoon unfortunately, but life is one long honeymoon if you look after each other.

“We are there for each other. We don’t go out without each other, especially these days. You have to give and take.”

Mr Clarke, now 82, was working at Morris Motors at the time as a motor car electrician.

He said: “I thought she was wonderful when I first saw her. I used to go into the shop to see her.

“I suppose I had to ask her out because I was caught.”

After their marriage Mrs Clarke left her job, but Mr Clarke stayed on at Morris Motors until 1993 when he retired.

They have since been enjoying each other’s company as well as travelling the world, visiting exotic locations such as Brazil and Dubai.

For their 50th wedding anniversary they renewed their vows in St Michael and All Angels, but neither of them knows what celebration now awaits them.

Mrs Clarke said: “I don’t know what we will do for our anniversary.

“ Everybody has been sworn to secrecy and I am not asking any questions.”