Prestatyn couple set to celebrate Diamond wedding anniversary

Thursday, September 30 will mark 60 years to the day since Doreen and John Grundy married in St. Thomas’ Church, Rhyl, at the ages of 22 and 20 respectively.

Doreen is originally from Penyffordd, Flintshire, while John hails from Wolverhampton.

They have one daughter, Paula Jones, and two grandchildren in Daniel, 27, and Nathan, 25.

Paula told the story of how they came into each other’s lives, saying: “Doreen came into John’s mum and dad’s hotel in Rhyl for a job as a waitress at the age of 17; they started courting not long after.”

John and Doreen on their wedding day. Photo: Paula Jones

The secrets to such a successful marriage, Paula added, have been: “Give and take on both sides, communication, sharing everything, working together as a team, and most importantly, never going to bed on an argument – (they) always talk things through and look after one another.”

After they married, John worked as a delivery driver and Doreen as a seamstress.

He ran his own successful business with Doreen for more than 25 years - the Rhyl-based Harold Jones Removals and Storage (named after Doreen’s late brother-in-law) - until they both retired in 2009.

John, Paula said, would lead the 'removals' aspect of the company, while Doreen was more focused on the 'storage' side, combining her role with looking after her grandchildren while Paula was at work, up until they turned roughly 15 years old.

Another reason why Doreen and John have formed such a strong marriage, Paula believes, is the number of interests they have in common with each other.

This includes: “Dancing, going to the cinema, spending time with family, going on cruises, owning a touring caravan and going on holiday with the family, especially when the grandchildren were very young.”

Doreen and John will be joined by Paula and the rest of their family for a meal to celebrate their anniversary in October.