A CHARD couple who were two of the town’s top sporting talents when they married are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Roy Lock played football and cricket for Chard and Ilminster, and Helen Lock was a member of Chard Tennis Club and Miss Western Daily Press.

They married on June 17, 1967.

The pair, who are 72 and 71 respectively, live on the edge of Chard and will have been married for 50 years on Saturday.

Rebecca Lock, one of two daughters, said: “They are both well known locally.

“They met when Dad played football and cricket for Chard and Ilminster and Mum worked at Horlicks in Ilminster and Wyatt’s in Chard.

“Dad is currently president of Chard Town Football Club.

“They also ran a local building business R V Lock Building Contractor for 35 years.”

She added that neither of her parents had brothers or sisters and have always had a small family, but lots of friends.

The couple have a long and funny lists of tips for a marriage lasting 50 years.

It includes; trust, a shared passion for sport, selective hearing, successful food production and consumption partnership, arguing every day about something, but never anything serious, having a his and her double bed with two parts, each with own remote control, being gracious when being told what to do, don’t answer back until you have left the room, supporting each other not criticising, and having a good sense of humour.

The couple also still have in their records the original article from when they were featured in the Chard and Ilminster News in 1967.

In it is detailed the vicar, Rev. Vallance Cook, the best man, the ushers, the four bridesmaids, and the five attendants.

The article also describes the reception at Tatworth Memorial Hall, which saw more than 100 people gather to celebrate the marriage, before the newlyweds set off for their honeymoon in Jersey.