Harold and Mary Davies of New Inn have celebrated their Diamond Wedding.

They married 60 years ago in Pontnewyndd, at St Luke's Church.

Harold is from Cwmffrwdoer and Mary from Pontypool. They first met at Cwmffrwdoer where Harold played football for the local team.

Mary spotted him on the field and they met afterwards at the clubhouse.

She was then sixteen-years-old and he was twenty. They courted for three years before getting engaged and were married shortly afterwards, honeymooning in Southsea.

They established their first home in Wainfelin and were there for 27 years before moving to their present home, a bungalow, in New Inn.

Both Harold and Mary left school when they were 14 years-old. Harold worked sat Tirpentwys colliery and his wife at the Chad Valley toy factory in New Inn.

When Tirpentwys closed, Harold worked for builders Wimpey and then after three years began working for Girling at Cwmbran and Pontypool. He worked there for 29 years before retiring.

Mary took a part-time job at Girling and in 1970 moved to a job at the Parke Davis pharmaceutical company's new factory on the outskirts of Pontypool. She worked there for 18 years.

The couple have a lifelong interest in dancing.

In earlier days they loved going to the Palais de Dance in Crane Street, Pontypool.

They still dance regularly today at a venue near their home.

Harold has always followed Pontypool RFC and remembers fondly the glory days with the team. He also enjoys gardening and the neat garden around his home certainly reflects this.

Harold is also a founder member of Pontypool Male Voice Choir, and has been a member of the South Wales male voice choir, touring with them to the USA and Canada.

The couple had two children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Their daughter Susan, tragically, died aged 21. Their son Gareth lives in America. He has four children.