Luton couple proud to celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

William and Patricia Mccarron were married in Hitchin on December 26, 1960, with the couple choosing a Boxing Day wedding because the Christmas holidays would allow Patricia’s family enough time off work to travel down from Yorkshire.

Six decades later, and the pair were pleased to receive a special card from Her Majesty the Queen and well wishes from friends and family.

Patricia said: “You never think of being married for so many years! We had a meal, and a card from the Queen, which was very nice.

“One of my granddaughters came with her two little boys and stood on the drive and waved at us.

“We have nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a seventh on the way.”

Patricia recalled their wedding reception at a working men’s club in Hitchin, remembering the dancing and rock and roll music.

The couple first met at a friend’s wedding in 1959, when Patricia, originally from Barnsley, was living in Hitchin, and William, originally from Castlederg, Northern Ireland, was living in Luton.

Talking about one of their first dates, Patricia said: “We came to Luton and had a Chinese meal. I thought he was very nice; I didn’t think I’d be married to him for 60 years!

“In Luton, we’ve both had decent jobs and it’s a nice place. I used work by the motorway at one time, at the Granada service station in Toddington when it first opened. Then I worked for Vauxhall for 25 years, and William worked for them for 40.

“Our favourite memories have been weddings and births and things like that.

“Advice to young newlyweds? You’ve just really got to work together.”

The couple’s daughter, Sue Pinney, said: “I think it’s amazing. I’m really proud of them. They were young sweethearts and married at an early age. Perhaps it runs in the family; me and my husband will have been married for 34 years in September! As kids we never wanted for anything, even in hard times they always put the kids first. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.”