Couple who met on a coach trip are celebrating their 60-year journey

Thomas and Jean Bottomley, of Granny Hall Lane, were married at Holy Trinity Church, on Harrison Road, on October 23, 1954 after meeting on a coach trip to Blackpool run by the old Baycliffe’s factory in Halifax.

They will mark their anniversary with a celebration at Bradley Golf Club with around 60 or 70 guests.

Thomas, 79, from Pye Nest, worked in the carpet industry for 35 years, while Jean, 81, from Claremount, ran play groups across Halifax and was a teaching assistant at Boothtown School and Beech Hill School. They have two children, Gail and Janet, and a grand-daughter, Stephanie.

Thomas said: “We noticed each other and started going out to the pictures. It just grew from there. You could say it was love at first sight.

“We’re still here after 60 years and we still get on.

“We have two lovely daughters and a brilliant grand-daughter who we’re very proud of. It’s been a happy marriage, very much so.

“The most important thing is to have a wife who is always there for you and always sticks up for you.There is no magic thing, it’s entirely up to the calibre of the other person that they stand by you and go with the flow.”