“IT’S a shame we didn’t make the hundred,” Colin Nutbeam said, thinking about the 93 years that he and his wife Viv had collectively spent working at Winchester College.

The pair met on a blind date set up by Viv’s flatmate and have been together ever since.

“We went to see Planet of the Apes in Basingstoke and then had fish and chips. He’s never been the romantic type,” Viv said.

They were married in 1971 and have three children and eight grandchildren.

Viv started working at the college in 1968 and was the first woman to earn an apprenticeship there.

“I remember when I was doing my City and Guilds in Southampton and I insisted that he come and pick me up from the bus stop every night,” she said.

Sixteen years later Viv was made head chef of the college kitchen and in 2002 was promoted to Head of College Catering.

Colin, a skilled craftsman, took a job as a joiner in 1974, which would be the start of a 44-year career at the college, restoring and creating beautiful works including the box for the Mary Rose sword and the external stair cases for the Hunter Tent cricket pavilion. His final project was an oak desk which had to be constructed, and then moved piece by piece, and then reconstructed in the archive room - at the top of a narrow spiral staircase.

“It took about six weeks from start to finish” he said. “It’s one of the best things he’s made,” Viv said.

A talented chef 1982 Viv served the Queen and Prince Charles during her tome at the College.

“He asked if we still served rabbit”

“though it was wonderful meeting the queen, my fondest memory has to be seeing my three children all get married at the college chapel.

“It was a real honour,” she said.

In 2014 they were both awarded gold long service medals by the university as the two longest serving members of staff.

Since retiring last October, Colin now spends his day at the handyman of the Wykeham Arms, where he has been a regular for 50 years, a fact immortalised by his own special roped off stool and bronze plaque at his regular spot.

“It keeps me busy and gives me a little pocket money” he said.

Looking back on her time at Winchester College Viv, of Culver Road, said: “I will miss the hustle and bustle. We feel privileged to have worked in such a beautiful environment.”

A college spokeswoman said: “Winchester College has benefitted from Viv and Colin’s unwavering commitment, skill and expertise for more than 50 years. But the excellence of their work is nothing compared to the warmth and humour they bring to the school on a daily basis – we shall miss them both dearly.”