A COUPLE who live in Stow have celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary and they have shared their secret.

Anthony Brewis aged 94 and Sheila Offord aged 92 celebrated the 70-year milestone at Brio's Beechwood Park in Stow after moving to the town in March 2023. 

The pair who have been married since 1954, celebrated with friends and family before being whisked away around the streets of Stow in a vintage 1926 Bentley. 

Mr Brewis, who had worked for Rolls Royce for his entire career, said: "We met in a youth club in Knightsbridge through Sheila’s friend Caroline – who I was dating at the time.

"Caroline had decided she wanted to ‘palm me off’ so thought Sheila could do the honours, of which I’m now forever grateful for."

The couple's first home was on a houseboat on the River Thames, which was a short stay as they decided to start a family. 

Mrs Offord said: "Anthony worked his entire career at Rolls Royce – starting as a junior clerk on £6 a week, working his way up to being the showroom manager.

"Most weeks he’d have film stars and VIP’s visiting which he loved. 

"I worked in Harrods as the secretary for the overseas sales adviser, so I’d bump into many famous people too.

"It was great fun and we used to compare notes during our time together after work.”

The pair have raised three children, Simon, Amanda and Michael, and are now proud grandparents. 

Mrs Offord concluded: "We had so much fun, and it was it was a very happy day – made even more special by the surprise of the vintage 1926 Bentley. 

"We can’t thank the team at Beechwood Park enough for all the effort they went to and it’s certainly a day we’ll never forget.

“If we can offer any words of wisdom to any young married couples out there, our secret to a long and happy marriage is good food, tolerance and love. 

"It’s certainly worked for us and we’re definitely as robust as platinum."

Beechwood Park is an age-exclusive community, situated in the picturesque market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, in the Cotswolds.