Hazel and Cyril Matthews

A CHANCE encounter as eyes met across a crowded rink brought Cyril and Hazel Matthews together.

Sixty-two years on, they celebrated their diamond wedding yesterday, surrounded by friends and family.

The couple met at a rollerskating rink in 1946. Cyril, now 82, known as Sam to friends and family, was skating with friends. Hazel, now 80, had been watching the skaters from afar when she caught sight of Cyril.

"I thought he was not so bad looking and I think he saw me watching him because he came and said hello," remembered Hazel.

Cyril, who had also seen Hazel eyeing him up, decided he would make the first move.

"I just knew I had to go and tell her how lovely she was," he said.

"It's quite strange. We both lived on Rodbourne Road but never met until we were adults. She lived at the bottom end while I lived further up.

"After that first meeting we ended up always waving to each other when she was on the bus to work."

Hazel said she knew that she would marry Cyril because they just connected with each other.

"My father unfortunately died young, before I was married, but my mother was really pleased."

Cyril spent 45 years at the railway works and Hazel worked at the Wills tobacco factory and as a shop assistant.

The couple agreed that having a close-knit family was something that has kept them going. They have two daughters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

9:16pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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