Pete and Jean Vince of Amesbury, who celebrated their golden wedding on Saturday. 3.2.5A THREE-WEEK cruise on the luxury ship Aurora, before she ran into problems, was one of the highlights of extended golden wedding celebrations for Amesbury couple Pete and Jean Vince.

Mr and Mrs Vince celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday but took their cruise in September and October last year.

Mrs Vince (70) said that, fortunately, there had been no problems with the P&O ship when they visited America and Canada.

The couple, who live in Blackcross Road, Amesbury, are south Wiltshire-born and bred and went to live in Amesbury seven years ago, moving from their previous home in nearby Winterbourne Stoke, where Mrs Vince was born and lived most of her life - her parents and grandparents running the village pub, The Bell, for more than 60 years.

Mrs Vince, whose brother is Ian West, the county and district councillor, was born in the pub and remained in the village after her marriage.

Mr Vince (74) was born in Great Wishford and was apprenticed to Ford dealers Edwards Brothers, in Salisbury.

After his national service, Mr Vince began work at the aircraft and armament-testing base at Boscombe Down, in charge of the MT section, and he remained at the air base for more than 40 years.

The couple have one daughter, Sandie Jones, who runs the Cascade flower shop in Amesbury, son-in-law Dave, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

To round off the celebrations, Mr and Mrs Vince hosted a party at the Boscombe Down recreation club on Saturday evening, attended by 50 members of the family and friends.