A COUPLE who married after a cafe chat have celebrated their diamond anniversary.
This month, Margaret and Edward Watt of Abergele travelled to the Isle of Man and returned to the church where they married sixty years ago.
Edward, 83 started courting Margaret, 79 and originally of the Isle of Man, when she caught his eye while he visited a cafe with his friend.
Margaret said: “He was making eyes at me. I thought he was terribly cheeky.”
Edward said: “She shared her biscuit with me! I’d served in Malaysia for three years. I was woman hungry!”
The couple tied the knot on the island but moved to Birkenhead after Edward became a firefighter, later settling in Abergele after he was recruited to the Clwyd Fire Service, where he swiftly climbed the ranks.
Despite coming to the North Wales Coast, the couple have globe-trotted, experiencing exotic scenes and meeting intriguing people.
Margaret said: “We had some funny times. Malaysia was wonderful. Ed had been working in the fire service for 30 years - and in one place the fire chief put a big dinner on for us with a cultural show.”
The couple explored the country several times, on one occasion lost their travel bag with money, passports and more, only to find it waiting for them untouched when they returned from a river journey.
Edward said: “They were very honest people. We met the Orang-Asli, the jungle people, who have no need of money. They would be offended if you tipped them.
“Outside the village, there were £1 notes hanging from the trees.”
Another vivid memory of their travels was a chance meeting with a “jungle man” who climbed down from a tree and politely greeted them, though he wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing.
Edward retired in the 1980s, but Margaret has not slowed down, having fundraised vigorously for many years for various children’s cancer charities. They have three daughters, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Margaret said: “I didn’t particularly like him in uniform - he was just lovely. I think the secret to a long marriage is to be faithful and honest with each other.”
Edward said: “That’s right. And by the way, you owe me a tenner!”