ROGER and Margaret Steer were married at Crediton Parish Church on September 27, 1960, by the Rev Anthony Bray.

Their wedding reception was held at the Ship Hotel in Crediton. Later in the afternoon they flew from Exeter to honeymoon on Jersey, the air fare was six pounds four shillings each (£6.20 today).

On the Sunday they were surprised to see Crediton on the front page of the newspaper showing the floods at Fordton and how the home of their Best Man, Malcolm Cann, had collapsed.

Roger was born into a Crediton family, son of Gifty and Eileen Steer of Dean Street.

Margaret was born in Luton, Bedfordshire. Her family moved to Porthtowan in Cornwall in the autumn of 1945, the end of the war.

Her father was in the Merchant Navy, only going home on leave three times a year. Wanting to spend more time with his family, he changed to coasters in 1952 and was then bringing petrol from Canvey Island to Exeter Basin, a five-day round trip.

Allowing for tides to access the canal and pumping out petrol, he would have a night in Exeter.

So in 1953, the family moved to Crediton where Margaret finished her schooling. She started work as an accounts clerk with Commercial Union Assurance Co. in Exeter and was soon dating Roger Steer.

He was serving an Apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner with Berry and Vincent in Crediton. After they were married, Margaret changed her job to work in Crediton for Veitch Penny. At this time they were living on Bowden Hill.

Their first daughter, Jenny, was born in 1963. By the time Philippa was born in 1965, the family had moved to Albert Terrace off the High Street.

The previous year Roger had joined Crediton Fire Service as a retained firefighter, a position he really enjoyed and was soon promoted to Station Officer in his early 30s.

The highlight of every year was a seaside family holiday, often with friends.

Margaret started working at Landscore Primary School in 1970 at the temporary classroom behind the Ambulance Station on Kiddicott.

At lunchtime she would help walk the children to the old Victorian school (later Early Birds) for their lunch. She really enjoyed working with the children, retiring after 34 very happy years.

In 1973 the family moved to North View on Union Road. Roger worked really hard to renovate this to a lovely family home where they stayed for 32 years.

In 1974 he went to work for old school friend Terry Eakers as a carpenter and joiner, moving into the DIY store when Terry closed the building side of the business.

He spent the rest of his working life very happily enjoying meeting people, retiring in 2005.

The couple decided to downsize their home and moved to Hedgerow Close where they still live very happily. They say that all their married life they have been lucky to have lovely neighbours.

Their daughter Jenny married Mark and they have two sons, Ian and Neil. Philippa married Ian and they have a daughter, Isobel, and a son, Matthew.

Roger and Margaret very much enjoy being grandparents and now they are very proud great grandparents to Ian and Alina’s children, Harry and Ella.