CREDITON couple Frank Ley (91) and his wife Vera (90) will celebrate their Platinum wedding anniversary on June 15, after what Frank says has been 70 very happy years and added that both have always worked and that hard work never killed anyone! At 90 and 91 years of age, they have certainly proved this.

Frank came from Sherwell  and Vera from Kentisbury and they met when Frank and several other lads, went to a dance at Kentisbury, where Vera asked him to dance then led him to a vacant seat  where she had to sit on his lap.

Vera says they have never been apart since. The couple were married at Kentisbury Church which is near Coombe Martin on June 15 1946 and spent their honeymoon in Exeter.   

Frank started work aged 14 as an apprentice in a Barnstaple Dry Cleaners and said the wage was just 12 shillings and sixpence in old money a week, and always gave his mother 10 shillings of this.  

He had to cycle to work but left immediately when his boss told him they did not pay holiday money!  He then went to work on a farm at Kentisbury,  and after their marriage, moved to a rent-free house on the farm.   

Later the couple moved to South Devon, where Frank worked on a farm as a milker.

Then they moved to Crediton, where Frank worked for Mr Pennington at Chappledown as a milker until he retired at 65.   

However, Frank did not retire...he then took up driving professionally, delivering cars all over the country  for an Exeter firm, until he was 82.  

He was also a football referee for 20 years, for the Exeter and District League, plus covering other matches at Bristol and Bournemouth etc.

Vera, in her younger days, worked locally and after moving to Crediton, she worked in Adams Home Hardware for more than 20 years and can be remembered as “a very helpful and knowledgeable assistant”.   

The couple were both keen gardeners and have won first prizes in the Floral Crediton Gardens Competitions.

But in the last few years, Vera’s health has failed and Frank has become her carer and house husband, nowadays doing all the household chores.  

However, he still drives Vera to Exeter once a week for shopping, which she loves and says it’s always a lovely day out.   

Frank says, although he is always very busy they still enjoy every day, but due to Vera’s health will be having a very quiet celebration day.

They have one son, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren who are always in regular contact with them.

A truly lovely couple.

Margaret Tucker