Diamond couple celebrate

Mr and Mrs Maurice and Shirley Howarth, of Buckley Court, Todmorden, will celebrate their diamond wedding with family and friends at the Staff of Life this weekend.

It is a landmark birthday year for the couple too - they both celebrated their 80th birthdays this year.

Shirley, nee Asquith, is from Sowerby Bridge originally, while Maurice is from Todmorden.

The couple met in Sowerby Bridge when Maurice, a part-time taxi driver, was driving a local band around to various public houses and Shirley was coming home from the pictures - both were 17 years old.

Shirley was a carpet weaver at Humphry’s, Sowerby Bridge, while Maurice was a plumber for Waller’s Plumbing, Water Street, Todmorden, in addition to his part-time taxi-driving job.

They married on December 10, 1955, in candlelight as there was a power cut at the time and started married life at their first home, on Burnley Road, Friendly.

After Maurice’s National Service in the army, they moved to Todmorden, to Frith’s Terrace up on Bacup Road, and he resumed work at Waller’s.

They later moved to Cambridge Street, Todmorden, by which time Maurice was working for CVS at Hebden Bridge.

Shirley stayed at home to look after the boys until they left school and then worked as a dinner lady at Todmorden C of E (National) School until she retired.

The couple had son Peter and daughter Steven, who went on to marry Susan and Anne, and now have four grandchildren, Andrew, Richard, Stacey, and Sarah, and a great-grandson Bobby

Shirley is one of four children alongside siblings Trevor, June and Derek while Maurice has a sister, Linda, and brother-law Teddy.

Their family wish them all the best for the future, hope they have an enjoyable celebration and continue for another ten years, towards their platinum wedding anniversary.