Tadley couple who have ‘never had a row’ celebrate 60 years of marriage

A Tadley couple who have “never had a row” in their 60 year marriage celebrated their diamond anniversary last month.

Roger and Mary Williams, aged 83 and 81, marked the milestone with a party at The George & Dragon Hotel on Saturday, May 20, a few days before their May 25 anniversary.

They also received a congratulatory card from the King and Queen consort.

The couple looked back fondly on their 60 years together after the party.

Mr Williams proudly stated: “We’ve never had a row. That’s when you start slagging each other off and throwing knives and chairs at each other.

“An argument yes, but no row.”

Mr Williams was born in Malta in December 1939 while his father was a serviceman there, but he was evacuated to North London a year later.

Mrs Williams was born in Newbury in March 1942, but her family moved to North London and lived in Stoke Newington and Hendon.

The pair met during the latter part of their school lives through athletics training.

Mrs Williams went on to become an international sprinter, competing alongside British female athletes such as Mary Bignal, Dorothy Hyman and Jennifer Smart during the 1960s.

She was rated third in Britain at the 100-yard sprint and fourth in the long jump.

The couple were married in Hendon in 1963 and shortly after purchased a house in Tilehurst.

Mr Williams spent several years working in banking, and Mrs Williams went on to become a carer. She was once named carer of the year for the south east.

The pair owned a village shop in Southwick, near Portsmouth, for a time before Mr Williams began a career in hospitality, working in hotels such as the prestigious Pennyhill Park in Bagshot.

The couple eventually moved to Tadley in 2004.

They have two children together. Their son David lives in Canada, and their daughter Helen lives in Basingstoke.

Mr Williams said: “We are very, very proud of what our son and daughter have achieved in their lives.”