Tony and Sheila Bishop celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary on Tuesday (September 22), marking 70 years since they were married at St Mary’s Church in Hartlebury.
The couple, who now live in Hartlebury, met at the age of six when they both attended Bennett Street Primary School, before losing touch when they both passed their 11-plus exam and went to single sex grammar schools.
The pair would meet again when they were 16, when Tony sold Sheila a raffle ticket with which she won a box of Maltesers.
After leaving King Charles I School, Tony started his first job at the Kidderminster Shuttle, but after qualifying as a journalist he was conscripted and served in the RAF.
Two years later, he came home to marry his childhood sweetheart.
Fast forward 70 years, the pair shared the secrets to a long and happy marriage, with Tony praising Sheila’s amazing support whilst his career as a journalist developed, and Sheila highlighting the importance of keeping life ‘interesting’.
“She was an amazing support. Her love and immense capability in running a home, a job and bringing up the children alongside me was amazing,” Tony said.
“We’ve had very few cross words and are still here 70 years on.”
Sheila added: “Tony was always busy with his job – in the day and out in the evenings covering council meetings and football matches.
“Learning about the different stories and people Tony spoke to gave us all an interesting life and inspired both our children to follow him into journalism.
“I got involved in village life, the WI, set up a flower and drama club and then qualified as a teacher and started a business with a talented and dear friend, Jackie Emeny.
“I thought if I didn’t find things to do, I would be bored and be boring to come home to.
“Maybe that’s how we’re still married after 70 years. Life should be interesting.”
Tony and Sheila celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary with a family meal with their children Naomi and Chris at the Dog in Harvington and are planning to continue the celebrations with family, including grandchildren and their great-granddaughter this weekend.