Romance prevails as couple mark 68th anniversary at original wedding venue

A Suffolk couple returned to the church where they wed nearly seven decades ago.

Love was at the forefront for June Skipping, 89, and her 95-year-old husband Taffy, who have now been married for 68 years.

The pair, both residents at Care UK's Hartismere Place care home in Castleton Way, toasted their milestone wedding anniversary by revisiting Elmsett Church.

They grew up as neighbours and the closest of friends in Elmsett, spending their youth attending dances, school, and church together.

Over time their friendship grew into a romantic relationship, resulting in Taffy's marriage proposal to June.

They tied the knot on a sunny spring day on March 31, 1956.

The couple returned to their wedding venue for their 68th anniversary (Image: Submitted)

For the wedding, June donned a light turquoise dress contrasted with pink shoes, gloves, and a hat, holding a bouquet of handpicked garden flowers.

Taffy wore his Sunday best suit for the occasion.

Taffy spent his professional life working for Church Farm and the local mill before retiring in 2000, while June worked in their corner shop and later joined the team at Marks and Spencer's.

Together they went on to have two children, Angela and Barbara, four grandchildren, Joey, Danny, Max, and Abbie, and six great-grandchildren.

Elmsett born June and Taffy said when it comes to love "stick it out, even when the times get tough" stating that a successful marriage is based on "respect each other and don’t take each other for granted."

They said young people should stick together, even when things get tough (Image: Submitted)

Claire Martin, home manager at Hartismere Place care home, said: “We were honoured to help June and Taffy celebrate this momentous milestone and take them back to the very place they tied the knot so many years ago.

“It was wonderful to help the couple reminisce and hear about all their memories from their wedding day and life together.

"June and Taffy are a delight and we especially love it when they share their wisdom about building a strong and successful marriage that I think we could all learn from."