Couple to celebrate 60 years.

Byline: By Andrew East

After 60 years together, devoted couple Evelyn and Jimmy Ashurst still delight in each other's company.

"Getting married to each other was the best thing we have ever done," is how they both sum up their lives together.

Evelyn and Jimmy, of Gosforth, Newcastle, will celebrate their Diamond Wedding on April 2.

Although their first meeting was 62 years ago at the Royalty Cinema in Gosforth, Evelyn still remembers it well. She said: "It was love at first sight for me and Jimmy".

Evelyn, who is 79, originally came from County Donegal in Ireland. Jimmy, 81, from Gosforth said: "After meeting me in 1943, she didn't go back to Ireland until after our wedding two years later."

When she met Jimmy he was a 19-year-old miner and Evelyn laughed, saying: "I used to call Jimmy my little pit boy."

Jimmy, now 81, had worked down the mines since he was 14. Sixteen years later he left the pits to become a railway worker. Meanwhile, Evelyn worked in a cinema and later as a nanny at St Charles' School in Gosforth.

The couple who live in Salters Road, married in 1945 at St Charles' Church, Gosforth, where they are still members of the congregation today.

Jimmy and Evelyn both remember their wedding day, which was in the middle of the war. Evelyn said: "There was no confetti and a shortage of food due to rationing". Jimmy still remembers the navy striped suit he wore.

With equal pride Evelyn described her dress: "It was a beautiful white dress and I carried red tulips," she chuckled.

Since the wedding Evelyn said the couple have shared everything together. They both now share the benefits of their large family. They have one daughter Marie, two grandsons Scott and Steven and they have two great-grandchildren Steven, five, as well as latest addition to the family Holly, three.

The couple plan to celebrate their diamond day by having a special thanksgiving service given by Father O'Connor at the church where they exchanged vows 60 years ago.

Evelyn summed up their marriage saying: "Like every couple we have had our ups and downs but we have always been very happy."

Jimmy agreed, saying they have had a fantastic 60 years together.