A WESTCLIFF couple, who met at Southend's iconic Kursaal, have celebrated 70 years of marriage surrounded by their loved ones.
Malcolm and Heather Watson enjoyed a party for their platinum wedding anniversary.
The couple tied the knot on April 11 1953, at the original Southend Registry Office.
Malcolm and Heather first met one another dancing at the Kursaal in 1952.
They courted for just one year before deciding that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
The party was held at The Chalkwell Park Rooms last Saturday, and saw members of their family travel from as far away as Wales and Yorkshire.
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Mrs Watson said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed with joy. This is the first time that all nineteen of our grandchildren and great grandchildren have been gathered together in one place.”
Asked the secret to a long and happy marriage she said: “I think that our differences compliment one another.
“We don’t always agree on everything, but we both know that marriage is a partnership. I honestly don’t know what I would do without him.”
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