50 years of wedded bliss; COTTERIDGE: Diamond date for childhood sweethearts.

Byline: By Patrice John

A PAIR of childhood sweethearts who married after living streets apart are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Glenys, aged 72 and Larry Jones, aged 73, of West Heath, have marked their golden anniversary with family and friends.

The couple, who grew up in neighbouring Holly Road and Laurel Road at Cotteridge, said they knew they were destined to be together.

Glenys said: "We were only about 11 or 12 when we decided we wanted to be together and so I suppose we were childhood sweethearts.

"Our parents accepted it as it was pretty obvious we wanted to be together.

"We have stuck together ever since."

Proud son Ian Jones, a 47-year-old area manager for a motoring firm in Bristol, said he was delighted his parents' marriage had stood the test of time and they were an inspiration. "They have stood the test of time and are an example to us all," he said. "They were childhood sweethearts, which makes it even more special.

"We are so proud of them.

Anyone who can show that level of commitment deserves our respect."

The couple married on January 18, 1958 at St Agnes Church, in Cotteridge.

Larry, a retired selfemployed road haulage worker, and Glenys, a housewife, celebrated with 30 family and friends at a restaurant in Wythall last weekend. Ian said the whole family enjoyed the festivities.

"We are a really close family," he said. "And that's why it was not just a celebration for mum and dad, it was a celebration for us all."

CAPTION(S):

ANNIVERSARY JOY... Glenys, aged 72 and Larry Jones, aged 73, of West Heath and (inset) on their wedding day. Picture: Trevor Roberts Photosales No.: TR170108WED-3