Love and laughter for diamond anniversary couple

DIAMOND celebrations lie ahead for Bluffites, Peggy and Dave Owen, who celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, 24 March.

The pair of 81-year-olds met at age 16 at the London Electricity Board, where Peggy worked as a copy typist and Dave as office boy.

“We still laugh about Dave having to make tea for me in the office,” chortled Peggy.

Two years later, they were engaged as Dave set off on his national service in the Royal Air Force and in 1956, they married.

In 1973 Dave was offered a three-year post to South Africa, so the couple, their two daughters and the family dog moved to Johannesburg. Having spent a year-and-a-half there, they decided to move to the coast and so arrived on the Bluff, where they have lived in the same house ever since.

Dave sold packaging systems mainly in the Durban Harbour warehouses and retired in 1998, while Peggy raised their daughters and nurtured her passion for dressmaking and embroidery, which won her a Royal Show special prize.

On the topic of a long marriage, both agreed their secret is love, coupled with a sense of humour and respect for each other.

We still laugh about Dave having to make tea for me in the office

Both have many hobbies which occupy their time – Peggy does cross-stitching; makes clothes for their three great-granddaughters and is a member of the Women’s Friendship Guild and Dave, who moored a boat at the Fynnlands Angling Club for more than 20 years, now enjoys tending to his garden.

“I encourage as much wildlife to my garden as possible, even if they do eat my tropical fish. I am a self-appointed guardian of a magnificent Natal fig tree on my boundary, which is a haven for many creatures,” said Dave.