A COUPLE who met in a bar 63 years ago have raised their glasses to toast their diamond wedding anniversary.

Herbert and Ivy Clark, who live in Alresford, first met in the Half Moon and Spread Eagle pub in Micheldever, and have been inseparable ever since.

They celebrated their special day with a family party, and got a letter from the Queen.

“Somebody said to me down there, do you want a pint or Ive, so I said a pint!” said Herbert, now 84.

The two roar with laughter and exchange a glance.

“But after that we kept talking outside the pub. I had a motorbike back then and I used to pick Ive up and take her out.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Three years later they were married, at the Weston Patrick Church in January 1955, and now have two sons, Allen and Keith, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

They moved to Alresford in 1961.

Ivy says the secret to a happy marriage is to “never go to sleep on an argument”, whilst Herbert jokes it’s down to armchairs on separate sides of the lounge at their home in Meryon Road.

In all seriousness “we have enjoyed every minute of it” he says.

“If I could have my life again I wouldn’t change a thing,” added Ivy.

They make a chirpy pair, both working until they were aged 81 in various professions from gardening and cleaning, to the county council and dairy farms.

If ever proof was needed of their happiness, the 72 grinning photos in the house should do the trick!