WHEN Dave Kimber was knocked unconscious during a roller skating accident he had no idea that it would change his life forever.

He was rushed to Stratton St Margaret’s Hospital for treatment for a head injury and it was here he met his wife-to-be Dilys who was working as a trainee nurse.

Tomorrow, the couple will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary at their home in Greenmeadow which will be decorated with blue sapphire cards.

It took only 10 months for the pair to be married, on January 1 1949, as Dave said it was love at first sight. Despite the country still being on rations after the Second World War the couple were able to buy a two-tier cake for their big day.

During the first years of marriage they lived with Dave’s parents in Old Town while he went to work as a coppersmith for the Great Western Railway and Dilys continued her career as a nurse.

They said the key to their long and successful marriage is their absolute devotion for each other.

To mark their special day their two children, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren will visit their home in Firth Close.

“I couldn’t live a day without my wife” said Dave, 85. “We are very devoted to one another. She is a wonderful wife. I wouldn’t be here today without all of her help.”

Even though they have both been retired for more than two decades, Dave said Dilys carries on with her nursing role caring for him while he battles against a number of health problems including a hip replacement and undergoing a triple heart bypass.

“She has helped me survive,” said Dave. “My parents reached their 70th wedding anniversary and I’m hoping we will do the same.”

Dilys, 85, said she has had a fantastic life. “We have been very lucky,” she said Dilys. “We have put up with each other and got through all of the good and bad times.”