A COUPLE who have lived in the same village their entire married lives celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today.

Tony and Nellie Perry met when they were both working as tweed weavers at the Bliss Tweed Mill in Chipping Norton.

The couple, pictured right and below on their wedding day, were both born in 1926 and were married 26 years later in 1952, the year of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

Mr Perry, 86, said: “It’s been a long job. I came back from working in the salt mines in Newcastle and got a job at the tweed mill.

“She came down into the weaving shed where I worked.

“It took her a bit of time to come out with me, and when I met her mother she told me not to keep her out too late, so I didn’t. I was a good boy.”

Mrs Perry, 85, who originally lived in nearby Cornwell, started working at the mill when she was 14.

She said: “We sort of knew one another in passing, and he took his time. I think he might have been a bit scared of my mother.

“We can’t say we have had any bad moments. We have had a few arguments but it’s all about the give and take.”

They bought a house in Chipping Norton and moved just twice, once to New Street and then to Hailey Avenue where they have been ever since.

The couple both worked at the Bliss Tweed Mill where it all began until it closed in 1981. Their daughter Carol was born in 1952 and also worked at the mill. Robin, born five years after, worked as a mechanic in Chipping Norton.

Mr and Mrs Perry are now known as Nan and Gramp to their three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter, Cadence, who is six.

Mr and Mrs Perry will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with a party on Saturday at the Chipping Norton Football Club, with close family and friends. Main picture: OX53627 Damian Halliwell