10:00am Monday 30th April 2012
By Sophia Sleigh
A couple will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary this Jubilee year.
Edward, 88, and Marie Baker, 81, from Sutton, will celebrate 60 happy years of marriage on May 5, as the Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne.
Sharing such a significant milestone with Elizabeth II has seen them offered a special champagne tea by Sutton Council to mark the occasion.
They will join will join other couples from the borough who also married in 1952.
Mr and Mrs Baker met at a dance in a hotel on the Isle of Wight where Mrs Baker was working as a waitress.
Mrs Baker said: "I think he was more keen on me - I was always a bit flirty."
A year later, in 1952, the couple married and Mrs Baker described it as a white wedding but a "quiet affair".
They had trouble organising the wedding as Mrs Baker is a Catholic and Edward is not.
However they found a church in Newington Butts and Marie’s family came over from Ireland - and ended up staying.
That year Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne and the following year saw her coronation.
Mrs Baker said: "There was great excitement; we didn’t have a television at the time.
"We gathered round my sister-in-laws television."
When asked about the secret to 60 years of marriage Mrs Baker said: "I think we’ve never really had nasty quarrels - I don’t like nasty quarrels."
"We’ve always got along. He’s more quiet and reserved - I’m more outgoing."
They have five children - two boys and three girls. They also have 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Their daughter, Carole Melaugh said: "My parents are from a generation who believe that marriage is a commitment and they have through thick and thin, long absences and very happy times kept to that commitment and are there for each other always."
Couples who married in 1952 and live in Sutton are invited to a champagne reception on Sunday May 27 at the register office.
To book a place contact Lynda Hudson on 0208 770 6790.
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