Dance sparked golden romance (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Dance sparked golden romance

12:00am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Andover

A CHURCH dance sealed the romance of two teenage sweethearts.

And 50 years later Whitchurch couple Tony and Virginia Lee have celebrated their Golden Wedding.

Mr and Mrs Lee went to school together in Salisbury and began dating after a church social dance when they were 16.

They both went to Bristol University and then trained as teachers at Goldsmiths College, before marrying in Salisbury after a six-year romance.

The couple – who have two children, Sara and Cassandra – moved to their home in Micheldever Road, Whitchurch, in 1971 when Mr Lee began teaching at King Alfred’s College, in Winchester.

Mrs Lee taught at Whitchurch Primary School, with her pupils including former Libertines musician Carl Barat.

Now retired, Mrs Lee, 71, enjoys keeping hens and Mr Lee, 72, is a keen member of the local model aeroplane flying club.

Asked what the secret to a happy marriage is, Mrs Lee said: “It’s two things, being open and honest with each other, keeping on talking especially when it’s difficult, and recognising that the other person is going to develop as a person and may go a separate way and not to feel threatened by that.”

The couple were due to celebrate their anniversary with their family, including their three grandchildren, today.