THE Beatles famously sang All You Need Is Love – and for one Wickford couple who have been happily married for 60 years, this sentiment could not be more true.
Louis and June Curson marked their Diamond Wedding anniversary with a family gathering on Thursday.
They also received a congratulatory card from the Queen and will be holding a large party for all their friends and relatives at The Chichester, near Wickford on Saturday.
The happy couple, who live in Grange Road, are looking forward to welcoming cousins, aunts, uncles and other family members with about 70 people attending in total.
One of their sons will be coming all the way from New Zealand to make sure he doesn't miss the special event.
Mrs Curson, 79, said: "We've had 60 glorious years together. We met when I was living in Debden.
"I was 16 and was at the train station when the ticket collector asked to see my ticket. I said OK and showed him the ticket – he said he wasn't going to give it back until I went on a date with him. He was about 20 and it all went from this date.
"We were courting for about four years before we got married."
Mrs Curson then started working with a theatre group in Finsbury Park, London.
She recalled: "I worked with pop stars and film stars like Liza Minnelli at the Rainbow Theatre."
The couple have six children, 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with a ninth on the way.
When asked what has kept their marriage going, Mrs Curson simply said: "Loving each other – that is the main thing. If you love each other, one can get through anything.
"We have been through a lot together and have always been good friends as well."
Mrs Curson added: "Also the children, they have been wonderful."
The couple met in Essex and then lived in London before moving to Scotland, living for some years in the Highlands.
"We have spent our later years in Wickford – back in my home county," Mrs Curson smiled.
Mr Curson, 83, said that their marriage had been so happy because of a lot of understanding on his wife's part.
He added: "And a lot of love as well as great family life. I feel sorry for people that don't have children.
"It will be lovely to see all the family again at the weekend."
