PERISTENCE paid off for Ken Plumpton who had to chase the love of his life for weeks before securing the date that led to half-a-century of happy marriage.

Mr Plumpton, from Oakenshaw near Willington, met Spennymoor girl Iris Knowles at Kelloe Club and though she refused a lift home they did arrange a date.

She said: “I had a strict father and he wouldn’t have even wanted me at the club. I didn’t dare go on the date and stood him up.”

Mr Plumpton then tried to phone her at work at the Paten and Baldwin wool factory, in Darlington, but she was not allowed to take personal calls.

Eight weeks later they eventually met again and this time Mr Plumpton gave her one of his gloves as a guarantee she would turn up for their next date, so she could at least return it.

After the couple got engaged, pitman Mr Plumpton was put on night shift so they rarely got to see each other and married a year-and-a-half later, on March 27, 1965, at St Paul’s Church, Spennymoor.

They settled in Oakenshaw, initially in a one-up-one-down house, and have lived in the village ever since, now in New Row.

Mrs Plumpton, 72, whose husband is 77, said: “We didn’t have much, but we were so happy and have had a wonderful life since.

“I feel honoured to have got to our golden wedding and if I could have another 25 years with this lovely fella and wonderful dad I’d clap my hands forever.”

They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a party at Spennymoor Town Hall.