SANDFORD couple, Stephen and Edna Kirkham, who met at a dance at Yeoford on their birthdays, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on October 5.

At the dance friends of both of them requested the band play Happy Birthday and then Stephen asked Edna for a dance, which was a romantic waltz and they never looked back!

The couple were later married at Crediton Parish Church, had their reception at what used to be the White Hart (now The Crown of Crediton) and honeymooned in Newquay.

Stephen’s best man was Graham Sandercock. Edna had two bridesmaids, her neighbour Heather Cole and her niece Linda Bird.

Stephen was born in Nottingham, but moved to Lapford when he was 12-years-old, when his parents bought the shop next to the Church, now The Ark.

Stephen then went to Chulmleigh School, and when he left became apprenticed to a local builder as a bricklayer, and has continued in the building trade all of his life. He is now semi-retired, helping two of his sons with their house renovations!

Edna was born in Crediton, and went to Hayward’s School and then Crediton High School for Girls. When she left school she worked part-time for Lee’s Wine Shop and later for Baby Chic (Heathcoats) until she got married.

After their marriage, they moved to Sandford in 1972 and still live in the bungalow in Meadowside Road which Stephen built himself, “in every spare minute he had”, said Edna.

Stephen is a keen on photography and video work, and enjoys vegetable gardening and planting flowers in the pots for the front garden.

He is also the secretary of the Sandford Flower Show, besides organising the prize money at the show.

After their sons grew older Edna worked at Sandford School, including playground duty, and in the kitchen.

She loves reading, sewing, especially cross stitch, crossword puzzles and music.

The couple both love holidays in Yorkshire and Wales.

They have four sons, Simon, Mark, Christopher and David and two grandaughters, Martha and Esther.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary the sons took them out for a family meal at the Port Royal on Exeter Quay, and have arranged for a full family photograph to be done shortly to commemorate this great occasion.

Steven says his luckiest moment was when Edna said “Yes” to his marriage proposal, and besides being still in love, they are still best friends, which said Edna is most important, with Stephen adding that each would be lost without the other.

Margaret Tucker