A LOCAL couple were thrilled to receive a card from The King and Queen to congratulate them on their 65th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, June 3.

Pam and Mervyn Milton are well-known in the area.

Pamela Martin was the youngest of seven siblings born to John and Muriel Martin. The family lived in Crediton High Street and John Martin was the Post Master at Crediton Post Office.

Mervyn was born in Bow at the start of WW2 to Florence and Fred Milton.

Fred was a farm worker and member of Bow Home Guard. Florence raised three sons and cared for two evacuees.

In their retirement years, Florence and Fred lived in Greenway, Crediton.

Mervyn and Pam met in 1955, at a pioneering live relay of a Billy Graham rally, at Hayward's Primary School, where their granddaughter, Hannah, now teaches.

They were married in 1961 at Crediton Parish Church, making their home at Bow for many years with their daughter Julie.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, when living in Bow, they helped run Coombeshead Chapel Youth Club, near Hillerton Cross and also taught in the Sunday School.

Mervyn worked as a farm labourer before moving into the haulage industry, working for AK Bedford, Renwicks and Parsons managing distribution.

Pam worked in administration for AK Bedford, Renwicks and ALS Motor Factors.

In the 1990s, they moved to Tedburn St Mary and became members of St Thomas Baptist Church, Exeter where they have been involved in church life for many years.

Throughout their lives, they have enjoyed travelling, including many happy retirement years caravanning in the UK and Europe.

As well as their daughter, Julie and son-in-law, Chris, they have two granddaughters and two great-grandsons.

They celebrated with a four generation family meal, cake and the special delivery card from Buckingham Palace.