Spalding couple John and Eileen Davis celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary and share the secrets to 70 years of marriage

A couple who are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary today have shared the secret to their seven decades of marriage.

John and Eileen Davis, now aged 91, met as teenagers and their love of dancing and working together on an arable smallholding has contributed to the longevity of their relationship.

They married in 1954 on June 5 in St Bartholomew’s Church in West Pinchbeck which was followed by a reception at Pode Hole village hall and have remained in the Spalding area all their lives.

Mr Davis said that he didn’t really know what the secret is to a long marriage but added: “We've had no end of arguments but we get over it.

“The biggest thing is give and take and we've worked together in the fields all our life from when we were 21.”

The couple, both born in 1932, took on a smallholding farming arable land, rearing pigs and started a family which has grown to six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr Davis said: “We've been with each other every day of the year.”

The couple first met at the age of 17 in Spalding while attending dances.

Mrs Davis, whose maiden name is Fisher, said: “In those days we used to go to Spalding and you'd see people around and say hello.

“He was quite a handsome bloke and we were 17 at the time.

“Marriage is different for a lot of people and we were farming and living together so we didn't see many people much at all.

“We both enjoyed what we did and time just went by.”

Their love of dancing together took them to various village halls such as Gosberton, West Pinchbeck and Deeping St Nicholas, where they danced the waltz and quickstep and continued until ten years ago, before a decline in health.

Mrs Davis added: “John didn't like the faster music but I loved it.

“All the while we have been active.

“We have several bits wrong with us but we have managed to survive and we have got a good nurse.”

Sadly two of the couple’s three sons, Alan and Stephen, died and their youngest son Julian continues to manage the farm at North Drove Bank.

They will be celebrating their milestone anniversary over a few days sharing their celebrations with friends and family.

Mrs Davis said: “We will have one or two friends over for two or three days and some sandwiches.

“Everybody who is coming we haven't seen for a while. We can't do it too long as we get tired.

“I will be tidying up to get ready and go off to Spalding to get some vegetables.”

The couple continue to live independently and Mr Davis, who left school at the age of 15 has played an active part in politics as a parish councillor for Deeping St Nicholas and also as a district councillor.