A WHTCHURCH couple celebrating 71 years of marriage say the trick is to ‘keep going and never give up’.

Stan and Pearl Biddulph live in Alkington, near Whitchurch, and celebrated their milestone ‘ochre’ anniversary this week.

The pair are enjoying their retirement surrounded by family, chickens, cats and lots of space.

Pearl says that while there have been tough times, they have enjoyed each other’s company and they think that is why it worked.

She said: “We get asked at every milestone “How does it work?” and I don’t know.

“We just get on, we tolerate each other well and have a good sense of humour.

“At times it’s been tough with family health issues, and we’ve had times on low wages but that was balanced by costs.

“We’ve had a happy marriage and shared hobbies, and we’ve travelled a lot.

“I’m glad I married him – he’s been very good.”

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Stan, 96, added: “How can you fail to be happy with a wife like Pearl?”

Pearl, 90, added: “My advice to new couples is never give up on each other and enter marriage with your eyes wide open.”

The couple married on September 6 in 1952 after a three-year engagement and have two daughters – Susan, 70, and 66-year-old Ruth. 

They have two grandchildren and a 10-year-old grandson who calls them GG girl and GG boy, much to Pearl’s delight.

They received a card from Queen Elizabeth II for their 70th anniversary, two days before she passed away.

But they also received a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla this week for their 71st wedding anniversary.

Pearl said: “We didn’t think we’d have the same Queen for most of our marriage.”

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The couple met in Tamworth, Staffordshire, before moving to be nearer Ruth in Alkington around six years ago.

They were introduced by a friend who said they lived by one another but Pearl admitted she didn’t know Stan.

She said: “In Tamworth, Stan lived on one side of the road and I lived on the other. 

“A friend rang me and said this man wants to meet you and lives by you but I didn’t know him.

“I said ok and then we were together for nine months before he proposed.”

Stan was proud to say that Pearl still wears her diamond engagement ring that cost 16 guineas.

Pearl is a former shorthand typist who went on to become a junior school teacher while Stan worked in payroll.