A COUPLE from Barn Park in Crediton celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary yesterday, Thursday, January 7, but were unable to hold the planned family get-together due to coronavirus restrictions.

John and Jean Neiass are both aged 78 and met at Sandford when they were aged 14.

Both attended Hayward’s School and became friends.

They started "courting" when they were 16, when, by that time, John had joined the Army, and was in an Army Apprentice College for three years, then joined the REME and served 25 years.

When they were 18 John received a posting to Hong Kong and, as Jean wanted to go with him, they hurriedly arranged their wedding in three weeks.

They were married in the Exeter Registry Office, which was then in Sidwell Street, with just family members present.

In those days they had to get their parents permission as they were under 21.

Well-known Crediton photographer Bertram Authers was there to take their photographs. Jean just had enough time to buy a pretty afternoon dress to wear and carried a prayer book.

They held a small reception in John’s parents home at 9 Winswood, in Crediton.

The couple proudly cut their wedding cake which John had bought from Bill Mitchell’s.

John said he went up to Bill’s shop and asked if he had a tier of a wedding cake he could buy, and Bill produced from the back of the shop a lovely square one, which John carried home in a box, on his bicycle.

After their reception they boarded a train to Plymouth for a three-day honeymoon, and immediately after that John left for Hong Kong.

However, sadly, despite their hopes, Jean was not allowed to join him as she was under 21.

Two years later, when John was serving in Suez, Egypt, their first daughter was born, followed by another girl and two boys, namely Carole, Kevin, Amanda and Jason.

They now have 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

When John retired from REME he worked for Somerset County Council as the vehicle workshop manager.

They returned to live in Crediton in 1982.  Jean, when she was younger, had worked at Bristow’s, Luvisca, and Wippell’s.

During John’s Army career his service included Aden, Suez and seven years in Germany when Jean was able to join him.

John is also well-known as "The Friendly Cheat", entertaining at parties, weddings and other functions with close up magic and card tricks.

The couple still love to travel and particularly enjoy Singapore where their daughter and son-in-law live, and Dubai where a granddaughter lives.

Jean’s hobbies are reading and painting, and the couple agree they have had a great life, travelling the world and have a wonderful family.

They hope to have a celebration family event when the coronavirus is finally over.

Margaret Tucker