FARMING is very much in the blood for a couple who celebrate their golden wedding anniversary this weekend.

George and Margaret Lethbridge met at a North Tawton Carnival dance in 1955 and were married at Chagford on September 19, 1959 - after the harvest had finished.

Mrs Lethbridge (nee Rice) was born at Chagford and went to school there. Her husband's family were farming at Whiddon Down.

However, but for the American forces stationed in South Devon before D-Day, they might never have met. Mr Lethbridge was born at Dartmouth. The family had to give up that farm for the Americans, moved to Cheriton Bishop and then Whiddon Down.

"We were at Hollycombe Farm from when I was 15 until I was 65," said Mr Lethbridge. "We then moved to East Leigh and our elder son now runs that farm."

Eighteen months ago Mr and Mrs Lethbridge moved into North Tawton. "We enjoy living here. North Tawton has the shops and facilities, people are so friendly, there is everything here and close enough for us to walk," said Mr Lethbridge.

His wife is still a member of Spreyton Women's Institute. She joined when they were at Hollycombe Farm and used to be a member at Coldridge. Both belong to Coldridge Happy Circle and Spreyton Good Companions. Both were members of Spreyton Parish Council.

They agreed that probably the biggest changes in agriculture came during their years of farming. Mrs Lethbridge commented: "Farmers are on their own now, much more than they used to be, You would get people coming together for things such as threshing, now farmers are more isolated."

Her husband added: "Farmers used to rely on each other more and work together more."

They agreed that the answer to a happy marriage is to talk to teach other, to always tell each other what is going on.

They will be celebrating with a family get-together and then going to Spreyton for a cream tea afternoon.

As well as their son at East Leigh, Mr and Mrs Lethbridge's other son lives at Zeal Monachorum. He is a forester. They have five grandsons, two grand daughters, one great grandson and a six weeks old great grand daughter.