Gillian and John Adie celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last Thursday, July 16.

They met in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in their teenage years, becoming childhood sweethearts when they first went out on Valentine's Day at the age of 16.

They enjoyed dancing and cycling together and Gillian trained as an illustrator at Manchester University. After many letters later from his national service in the army, John returned home and proposed when they were 21-years-old, again on Valentine's Day.

They were married at St. Bartholomew's - Wilmslow Parish Church on July 16, 1955, and went on to honeymoon by train to the Isle of Wight.

Living firstly in Cheshire, their daughter Susan and son Keith were born. They then moved to North Wales, where John became chairman of the Travellers Association and played many games of cricket. Nottinghamshire followed for a few years and another short spell in Cheshire, before settling in Freshwater East more than 33 years ago.

Gillian continued her art, entering paintings into exhibitions, doing commissions and some solo exhibitions, and publishing a book of a selection of sketches from around 57 sketchbooks collected over the years (From Coast to Countryside).

John became a club leader with South Pembrokeshire Young Farmers and helped with the organising of ploughing matches. He received an award from Pembroke Farmers Club for Services to Agriculture in 2001.

At one point, with Gillian helping with art exhibitions, Keith as chairman and Susan as minute secretary, the whole family became known as the 'A' Team in local farming circles.

Gillian and John continue to enjoy their life in Pembrokeshire with art events, seeing family and friends and visiting local beauty spots.

Their daughter Susan, son Keith and daughter-in-law Alison and grandsons James and Marcus wish them many congratulations on their diamond anniversary and wish them many more happy years together.