Chesterfield couple celebrate diamond anniversary after 60 years of marriage

Pauline and Brian Flynn, aged 78 and 80 respectively, marked the milestone after tying the knot at Staveley Parish Church on March 25, 1961.

The couple first met as teenagers while working at the Robinson and Sons Ltd factory in Wheatbridge.

Love soon blossomed and after Brian left for another job the pair continued to meet at Staveley Chantry Youth Club.

They later got engaged on August 3, 1959 – Brian’s 19th birthday – and began married life in Staveley, and also lived in Mastin Moor, Hollingwood, and Brimington before settling in Duckmanton in 1999.

Pauline and Brian went on to have four children, Kaz, Tricia, Antony, who has sadly now passed away, and Gary.

Over the years, they enjoyed many family camping holidays in the UK and abroad, and one of their most cherished memories centres around organising trips to Blackpool with family and friends.

The couple also loved dancing and were part of the WRBS concert party, a group which used to visit places such as care homes to entertain the residents.

Another of their passions was for steam rallies, their favourite being Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Rally.

Furthermore, Brian was the founding member of the Barrow Hill Engine Preservation Society and played a key role in saving it from demolition.

Sadly though he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease around five years ago and, due to this and other health factors, both Brian and Pauline can no longer attend the steam rallies and socialise as they once did.

The couple now have four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, all of whom visit them often.

Although celebrations for their diamond anniversary will not be as lavish as years gone by, they still hope to see family and mark the big day at some point despite coronavirus restrictions.

Their eldest daughter Kaz Barrett, 58, said: “For the last couple of years they’ve had 1940’s themed anniversary parties before my dad got really bad with his Alzheimers.

"I only live around the corne from them so I’m on the doorstep to look after them.

"This year we’re planning a little family get together – in keeping with current restrictions – so hopefully it doesn’t rain and we can all be outside.”

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