THEIR courtship lasted nine years, and their wedding took place against the backdrop of the Second World War, but today Sydney and Dorothy Heppell are celebrating 60 years of marriage.
Sydney and Dorothy, both 83, met at a concert in Malton in 1935. But they were not able to marry until 1944, when Sydney, who was serving in the Navy, flew back from the beaches of Normandy for the wedding.
The couple moved to Norton, before later settling in Gale Lane, Acomb, York.
They have a son, Christopher, a daughter, Carole, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sydney said it was "almost" love at first sight.
"The secret of a happy marriage has got to be living together," he said. "As long as you live together the better you get."
Updated: 10:40 Thursday, July 01, 2004
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