THEY may not know the secret behind 60 years of marriage, but last week one Winchester couple toasted just that.

For Derek and Beryl Igglesdon Thursday (AUG 7) marked their diamond wedding anniversary, which they celebrated with a tea party surrounded by family and friends.

They first met in 1951 in the office of Derek’s father’s construction firm, Hampshire Contractors Ltd, of which Derek later became director.

“She was the office girl,” said Derek, 85.

“My father said ‘I have got some tickets for the ball, why don’t you take that girl?’. Things just matured from there and we got married in 1954.”

The two honeymooned in Normandy, France, before moving into the house they built in Oliver’s Battery Road South – and have never left.

Pictured below: Mr and Mrs Igglesdon at their home in Oliver's Battery.

Hampshire Chronicle:

For 17 years Derek commuted to London, and the two said they weren’t ever tempted to move.

Beryl, 79, said: “You cannot beat Winchester, it’s a lovely place. We built this house and have been in it for 60 years. We even have the same neighbours.”

The duo have travelled the globe, and have a fridge covered in hundreds of colourful magnets sitting proudly in their kitchen, as well as a map of the world pinned to the wall of the study with flags neatly placed on all their holiday destinations.

Derek said: “One of the best places I went to was China. I have never been so well looked after in all my life – China is smashing.

“We have had a good life.”

With three children, Christina, 58, Karen, 55, and Neil, 52, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren between them, the couple know how to keep busy.

Keen golfer Derek once played cricket for Compton and Shawford, and football for Highcliffe Corinthians, whilst life-long Winchester resident Beryl attended All Saints C of E Primary School, and the now non-existent St Marys.

So what is the secret to their 60 years?

“I haven’t got a clue,” Beryl laughed.