Alan and Pat Manton have been deaf throughout their lives and if they hadn’t have been, they never would have met.
And today the Thornaby couple are raising a glass to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Pat, originally from Stockton, has been deaf since she was a baby and went to a specialist deaf school in Stockton.
Alan was aged seven when he was registered deaf. He attended Hugh Bell School in Middlesbrough.
The couple met at a church hall dance in Linthorpe road when they were teenagers.
Daughter Susan said: “It was dance for deaf people. Mum was 13 and Dad was 17. They met there and hit it off. They have been together ever since.”
The couple married in 1955 at St Luke’s Church in Thornaby.
Alan, 80, worked as an electrical welder and Pat was a sign language tutor in Thornaby.
Susan added: “They have never let their deafness change anything. I find them both so inspirational.
“Mum taught me and my brothers and sisters sign language and their grandchildren can do it too.
“They are so good for each other and have been amazing parents.”
The couple also have son Philip, 57, and Susan 54. They also had son John who passed away at just two weeks old and son Andrew who died two years ago aged 49.
They have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The couple enjoy going to a deaf club every Friday at Robert Atkinson School in Thornaby and attend church once a month in Stockton for a special deaf service. Pat also enjoys lace making and Alan spends a lot of time woodworking.
Pat said: “We don’t really have a secret to a happy marriage, we have just always got on so well. We have known each others such a long time and if we were able to hear, we never would have met all those years ago. We have had a very happy life.”
The couple will celebrate their anniversary with friends and family this weekend.
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