PAIR CELEBRATES 60 YEARS COUPLE MET IN ENGLAND DURING WWII.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - It takes time to make a fine diamond.

It takes a lifetime of love and a good sense of humor to reach a diamond anniversary.

That's pretty much the only secret Bernard and Agnes Powell will divulge as the reason they have stayed married for 60 years.

That, and a certain motto Bernard is fond of saying with a twinkle:

``It's give and take. I give, she takes.''

On Saturday, Bernard, 79, and Agnes, 80 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with some of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their Canyon Country home - the first and only home they have lived in together since 1967, when they came to the United States from England.

It's been a good life, Agnes Powell says, considering they exchanged vows on March 3, 1945, when the air-raid sirens of World War II screamed, and bomb shelters and ration coupons had become the norm.

Agnes and Bernard Powell met in their teens, while working in a chemical factory in Agnes' hometown of Birmingham, England.

Bernard Powell had worked since the age of 14. He left his family home in Wales at 16 to take the factory job in Birmingham.

They saw each other as she took a tray of tea to the factory foreman. Co-workers and friends got them talking to each other.

They went for walks. He liked quieter activities, like going to the movies. She liked to go out, and taught him how to dance.

Agnes said it was his thoughtfulness that attracted her. ``He would send his money back home,'' she said. ``He was so good in thinking of his mother.''

They had planned a long engagement, she said, but then Bernard was drafted into the British army.

``He had sent me a letter,'' Agnes recalled with a chuckle. ``It said get everything together, we're getting married. He didn't even ask me, he just said we're getting married.''

Neighbors gave up ration coupons for the wedding. The couple had a week together before Bernard was assigned to India.

The couple's first daughter was born in November 1947, two months before he was discharged from the Army. She was the first of five children: two girls and three boys. All except one daughter, Linda Millichap, live in Southern California.

In 1967, Bernard accepted a job in California. He left Agnes and their five children back in England to try it out. Living in a trailer in Van Nuys, he saved up for their home in Canyon Country.

``He said the children would have a better life,'' she said. ``We all had to fill out at least 19 forms to come here, but it was worth it. We got here on December 20. We were so happy to be out here for Christmas and to be with Daddy.''

They became American citizens in 1976.

``The children have always been the focus of attention,'' said Millichap, who flew from England to celebrate the anniversary with her parents. ``I think that was the common bond and that's got quite a bit to do with it.

``There's a lot of humor in this house, and I think that's important,'' Millichap said. ``Everybody looks out for everyone else. Theirs is a terrific achievement.''

Their other daughter, Judith Farkas of Lancaster, agrees.

``As far as parents go, we hit the jackpot,'' she said. ``I think the success and longevity of their marriage is the love of their family. Mom and Dad have always been family people. We were lucky enough to be that family. If I could have chosen anyone for parents, I would have chosen them.''

Since they first came to America, Bernard and Agnes have learned a few things too, like saying ``flashlight'' instead of ``torch,'' and ``trash can'' instead of ``rubbish bin.''

And some things haven't changed.

Bernard still prefers quieter activities, like staying home, and Agnes still likes to go out.

``I'm a bingo addict,'' she said. ``I love bingo. I go to the Moose and the Elks (lodges).''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color in SAC edition only; 2 -- ran in SAC edition only) Canyon Country residents Bernard Powell and his wife of 60 years, Agnes, got married in England during World War II. On Saturday, they celebrated the milestone with family. The Powells' wedding photograph from March 3, 1945, at left, was taken before Bernard left for India with the British army.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News