SHOBROOKE residents Jack and Stevie Fey celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on November 24 with a lunch party for family at the Red Lion Inn at Shobrooke.

Jack (87) was born in Shobrooke and went to Shobrooke Village School, leaving at 14 years old to work for H.W Mitchell, Accountants, (now Stapletons), in Crediton, and then worked at Stapletons, until he was 80 years old.

Stevie (79) was born in Norwich, she was a Barnardo’s child, but came to Devon to live with foster parents at Knowle, when she was eight years old.

She went to Copplestone School, and later worked at the old International Stores in Crediton, and often went on the rounds with their driver, the late Johnny Price.

The couple met at the dancing classes run by Reg and Vi Bottrill, and were later married at Crediton Parish Church by the late Rev Antony Bray. They honeymooned in Babbacombe.

Jack did his national service in the RAF, and said he was lucky enough to serve most of his time abroad, including Kenya and West Africa, and when he was de-mobbed, he went back to Mitchell’s to work.

The couple have lived in their house for 50 years, moving in straight after it was built.

Jack has a very busy diary. He is the chairman of the Shobrooke Friendly Club, a church warden, looks after the churchyard, cuts the grass, and tends to the War Memorial.

He is also Treasurer of the Village Hall, plays skittles for the Red Lion and supports their quiz nights, plus he is the caller at the village bingo nights!

He is also a life-long supporter of Exeter City Football Club. He also played cricket for Shobrooke for many years and was also an umpire.

Stevie, was formerly a painter and decorator and says over the years she has decorated around 60 houses in the area. She also cleaned the village hall for more than 40 years and the church for a while.

With three of her daughters she played darts for the Red Lion. However, due to ill health she has to take life quietly now, although she plays Scrabble twice a week with a friend, and every day does the Sudoku, in the newspapers.

The couple have four daughters and one son, eight grandchildren and one great grandaughter.

The couple say that being great friends, and doing many things together, has meant they have enjoyed 60 happy years.

They were delighted to receive a Congratulations card from H M The Queen and also flowers and a gift from the Church.