Two of Morecambe's 'sand grown'uns' celebrate Diamond Wedding

Margaret Jean Carter and Brian Ernest Hargreaves married on August 20 1960 at Clarence Street Methodist Church.

The pair are Morecambe born and bred and both devoted more than 30 years of their lives to education around the area.

Margaret has taught at Skerton Junior School, Sunnyfield on Morecambe Road and Bowerham County Primary School, followed by some supply work upon retirement.

Brian, meanwhile, taught at Skerton Boys Secondary, Sunnyfield, Torrisholme Primary and Bowerham Primary as deputy head and then was headteacher at Churchtown and Great Wood Primary School on Beaufort Road.

Both said they experienced excellent colleagues over the years and greatly appreciated all their efforts.

Before going into teaching, Brian started work at 16 in the District Bank (formerly the Lancaster Banking Company and now NatWest on the promenade) for two years, before conscription in the Royal Army Pay Corps from 1954-56 – just being demobbed before the Suez Crisis.

He still keeps in touch with his Christian friends in Delmenhorst, Germany, and they hold a small reunion with 8-12 former army colleagues each year.

All faiths, and none, proved no obstacle to close and lasting friendships.

Brian, now 84, even went on a church building scheme to Sierra Leone for his 70th birthday, which he says was a real eye opener!

The couple have greatly enjoyed worshipping in the Methodist tradition, firstly at Clarence Street (now the Rainbow Centre) then Central Methodist in Green Street and now at Wesley, Heysham.

As Brian’s parents were married at the Primitive Methodist Church in Peddar Street (now home to the Sea Cadets) they have experienced Primitive, Wesleyan and United sections of the Methodist Church in their lifetimes.

They said: "We strongly believe the church, any church, is to serve the local community and view outreach as being of top priority, for example Christian Aid, Methodist Homes, luncheon club, choir, worship."

Now retired, 83-year-old Margaret enjoys water aerobics, knitting, cake making and icing, country dancing and various ladies groups.

Brian, meanwhile, enjoys swimming, golf, snooker and gardening.

"We both feel so fortunate still to be here and able to enjoy life to the full," they said.

The couple have been fortunate to be able to travel extensively and Brian worked for Omega Holidays for 20 years upon retirement, and have enjoyed exploring the UK.

Asked what makes for a happy marriage, they said: "Give and take, team work and appreciating one another’s strong and weak points."

The pair are now able to enjoy life with their two daughters, Kathryn and Gillian, five grandchildren (Alex, Rebecca, Sophie, Anya and Rory), son-in-law Steven, and Paul, good friend of Kathryn, all of whom live locally.

Margaret and Brian both still love Morecambe after all these years, saying: "Though experiencing the town’s ups and down we still feel our town can be assured of a bright future."

They hope to have a family celebration for their anniversary on Thursday, and, weather permitting, will be having a socially distanced coffee and cake drop-in for friends and church on Saturday.