January the first is traditionally a time when we look forward to the year ahead.
But Marske couple Ray and Ann Peacock look back with pride every year.
And this New Year’s Day will mark a special milestone for the couple, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.
The pair, who were married at St John’s Church on Marton Road in Middlesbrough in 1955, have endured ups and downs throughout their 60 years of marriage.
But the diamond duo say “sticking together” is the secret to their longevity.
Ann, 78, said: “We have had a lot of good times and some bad times, but we stick together throughout it all and that is all you can do really.
Ann and Ray, 81, who worked most of his life as a self-employed joiner, lost their son Clive to leukaemia aged 34 in 1992.
They also tragically lost their 17-year-old granddaughter Charlotte Peacock, of Saltburn, earlier this year.
“We can honestly say we have never really argued, and we just think being able to give and take and deal with what comes is the best way to stay happily married,” continued Ann.
The couple met on a hot day when Ray, then an apprentice joiner, popped into the M&M sweet shop in Middlesbrough where Ann worked for a penny ice lolly.
Ray said: “It was a sweltering day, and I went in for a penny ice lolly and saw Ann behind the counter. I asked her out straight away, it was different back then. And it only cost me a penny!”
Both originally from Middlesbrough, they married two years later just before Ray left to do his National Service in the 1st Batallion Green Howards.
Ray continued: “It only took us about six weeks to plan. We wanted to be married before I left for the army. Ann had to borrow her sister’s dress.
“It was a real family affair, but it was a heck of a good wedding.”
Ray and Ann then enjoyed a honeymoon at Gate Helmsley, and were greeted getting off the train with confetti and a sign saying ‘Just Married’ painted across their carriage.
They lived in Middlesbrough and later moved to Redcar, Scarborough and Moorsholm before settling in Marske around 17 years ago.
The couple have two other children - Steven and Julie - four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
They will celebrate their 60th anniversary quietly with family.
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