I fell in love with his motorbike

Four years later the couple, of Spinney Close, Liddington, tied the knot and their marriage is still going strong today.

They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last Saturday with family and friends.

Mrs Archer, 72, said: "I fell in love with his motorbike. Lewis and I hit it off straight away. Whenever a motorbike goes past it reminds me how our romance began."

The couple first met at a whist drive in Wanborough. Mr Archer, 76, asked her out immediately and they have been together ever since.

Mrs Archer said: "We both loved going to speedway. Now I prefer gardening and Lewis sits watching me. But he used to be very good at DIY."

Mrs Archer worked at Garrards electronics factory, in Newcastle Street, and Mr Archer was a carpenter.

They married in St Margaret's Church, in Church Street, and enjoyed a two-week honeymoon in Blackpool.

Mrs Archer said: "I don't know why we went there. It wasn't a very romantic place but we still had a good time."

They went on to have two children, Stuart, 44, and Andre, 47, and now have six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Mrs Archer reckons the secret to lasting marriage is keeping quarrels to a minimum and taking regular holidays.

She said: "We have never argued about money and always took the children on holiday."

Mr Archer also has fond memories of their 50-year marriage.

He said: "I asked Hazel's father for permission to marry her and he said: You carry on, you're not marrying me.''

Life wouldn't be right without the occas-ional row, but I think we are pretty compatible."

Victoria Tagg