Love lasts through the battles for diamond duo (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Love lasts through the battles for diamond duo
6:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News
Roy and Monica Dutton who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary
AN OLD Town couple are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this weekend ahead of the big day next week.
Roy and Monica Dutton married 60 years ago on Monday and will be spending time with close family.
“It’ll be quieter than our 50th anniversary but I’m looking forward to it,” said 79-year-old Monica.
The pair met at The Majestic Ballroom in 1951. After courting for just over a year they tied the knot at Swindon Registry Office on March 18, 1953.
“It was only a small occasion and only close family were there,” said Monica.
“It was a lovely day. We had it at The Registry Office because we could not wait to be married.”
The couple, both from Swindon, have spent their entire working lives as hoteliers, spending 52 years in the business and retiring in 2005. The ran both The Lodge, in Hunt Street and The Royston, in Victoria Road.
Monica said she and husband Roy, now 83, had enjoyed their work but are enjoying retirement even more.
“I enjoyed doing it at the time but I’m glad to be retired,” she said.
“It was fun but very exhausting. It was a job that took up most of my life.”
The couple have dedicated their retirement to spending time with their family.
They have two daughters, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
“I seem to spend most of my time either babysitting or baking for them,” said Monica.
“A lot of our friends ask how we cope with all the children around but I love it. ‘It means they love their grandmother’ I say.”
To celebrate their anniversary, the family will be gathering at Colley’s Supper Rooms in Lechlade, the same place they held their golden anniversary party 10 years ago.
Monica says that the pair have had their fair share of arguments but the secret of their marriage was not holding any grudges.
“We make sure that we put our disagreements out in the open,” she said.
“It’s important people don’t dwell on things and move on.”
