A LOCAL couple have celebrated a sparkling wedding anniversary.
Geoff and Laraine Parkin don’t need much to be content when they have each other and yesterday marked 60 years of happiness with their diamond wedding anniversary.
Geoff, 82, and Laraine, 79, from Thurgoland, first laid their eyes on each other over 62 years ago and have built a wonderful life and a loving family together.
The pair first met at work, where Geoff was a commercial apprentice and Laraine was a typist.
One day, Laraine cheekily flicked a rubber band at her future husband and the rest was history.
The couple got up to ‘nothing noisy’ on their big day.
Geoff joked that this anniversary was only a ‘practice run’ for their platinum anniversary in ten years.
However, on Sunday, they are set to celebrate in a private room at Wentworth Woodhouse, reminiscing on their married life alongside family and friends.
The celebration will have fizz, canapés and a delightful afternoon tea to mark the special occasion.
Geoff and Laraine admitted that their family is their biggest achievement as a couple, with three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandson, with more on the way.
Geoff said: “We don’t look at material achievements.
“We’ve got good health, both of us.
“Having such a wonderful family around us is our greatest achievement.
“I often look back and think, I walked in that church door at 20 past two on October 2, 1965.
“If somebody had told me that I’d be sitting here this morning, reminiscing about our family, then I’d be thinking my future has happened.
“We’re so proud of them all.
When asked about the secret to their long and happy marriage, he added: “The secret is look at what you’ve got, be thankful for it and enjoy it.
“One of my dad’s old sayings was: ‘Suit thi’ sen’ lad and there’s one suited.’”
