Give and take the secret of 60 years of marriage

Brian and Pam Staples were part of groups of friends who used to meet outside Boots during their lunch breaks in 1960.

While Mr Staples was an apprentice cabinet maker at Lovell’s, his wife-to-be, Pam Woodhard as she was then, worked at Delas clothes shop in the Pollet.

‘As Pam walked past me one day I said “Will you come out one night?” and she said “Oh yes”,’ he said.

There was a problem, though – Mr Staples’ Benetta moped lacked a second seat. So he set about getting one: ‘I went to the upholsterers and got a bit of foam and leatherette and went home and my mother made a seat on the back.’

Unfortunately, it did not do the trick. ‘Pam said “do you think I’m coming on the back of a thing with pedals?”.’

This was not enough to stop the romance, however, and things were helped a year or so later when Mr Staples invested in a bigger motorbike, a Puch.

Even without transport they went to the Hermitage Hotel, the Odeon cinema, the Hotel Beaulieu and some dances organised at St John’s Ambulance headquarters.

They eventually married at St John’s Church in Les Amballes, where Mr Staples had spent a lot of time as a member of the Cubs.

The reception was held at the Hermitage and then they flew off to Jersey to honeymoon at the Merton Hotel. ‘We’ve been there nearly every year since,’ said Mrs Staples. When they have not stayed at the Merton, they have stayed at the Pomme d’Or, which is part of the same hotel group.

A cabinet maker by trade, Mr Staples still keeps his hand in and most recently made four plinths for the Puffin Parade. These were the prototypes which were then copied on a larger scale, although his four are also in use.

They were both busy on the Guernsey sports scene, with Mr Staples forming the Tug of War Association in 1971 and the Guernsey Rowing Club two years’ later. He was also a member of the Hash House Harriers and involved with the Guernsey Motorcycle and Car Club.

Mrs Staples was by his side at many events, time-keeping or selling programmes at the sand racing events.

Their favourite joint hobby is Latin-American ballroom dancing and they go to the monthly dances at the Wayside Cheer.

While their anniversary is today, they will be celebrating with their two daughters and their families at La Reunion tomorrow.

So what was the secret to a long and happy marriage? ‘Give and take,’ said Mrs Staples.

Her husband said his involvement with the rowing club had stopped them having many holidays, but he hoped that they would have a chance for a break in the summer, back at their favourite Jersey hotel, when Mr Staples also commentates on the Sark to Jersey rowing race.

The events of their wedding month

• Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was in his final few months in 10 Downing Street.

• About 70,000 protesters arrived in London, having marched 50 miles from Aldermaston, to demonstrate against nuclear weapons.

• Princess Alexandra of Kent – Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin – married the Hon. Angus Ogilvy at Westminster Abbey.

• Cliff Richard and The Shadows were at number one in the charts at the start of April with Summer Holiday. That was knocked off the top spot by the Gerry and The Pacemakers with How Do You Do It. And then The Beatles started a seven-week reign at the top of the charts with From Me To You.

• By the 1960s, 75% of British homes had a television. In 1963 the first episode of Doctor Who was broadcast, with William Hartnell playing the titular character.

• In America John F Kennedy was the president. He was assassinated in November.