HALF a century since they first appeared in The Gazette, Aden and Sharon Curran have once again made headlines by celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Hosting a party of nearly 90 people, the couple enjoyed a night of dancing, food, friends and family at the Old Basing village hall on their anniversary on April 22.

“We enquired about booking the hall last October, and the only free day they had was our actual anniversary,” Aden told The Gazette.

The pair, both Basingstoke born and bred, met when Sharon was 15 and Aden was 19 and performing in the group the Mimets.

“I knew Aden through the band and them playing around the town,” added 71-year-old Sharon.

“Then one night after one of the shows he asked if he could walk me home, and that was that really.”

After courting her for six years – Sharon’s parents wouldn’t let her marry until she turned 21 – the couple got married on April 22, 1967 in St Michael’s church.

Within 11 months of their marriage, Sharon gave birth to their eldest daughter Lisa.

The couple were hard workers, with Sharon working for the telephone exchange and Aden a carpenter.

It was this trade which has gained Aden his reputation as a real handy man.

“He has made improvements in every single house we have lived in, including this one we live in now,” added Sharron. 

Now living in Belle Vue Road, Old Basing, Sharon enjoys knit ting, baking and tending to her garden, whilst Aden is still keeping busy as a member of the Basingstoke Men’s Shed.

At their celebration dinner the pair were toasted by TV doctor Hilary Jones, who Sharon used to work with, and danced with friends and family.

When asked what the key to a long and successful marriage is Sharon said: “He may be cheeky and get up to mischief, but it is all part of his charm.

“But like all marriages it is about give and take and you should make sure that you never go to bed on an argument.”