A GOLDEN couple celebrated half a century of married life at the weekend.
Betty and Eric Heckley, of Gregory Close, Staindrop, say the secret to a long and happy marriage has been "give and take and appreciating each other's company".
The couple lived a few hundred yards from each other in Cockfield when they met in 1950 and went on to marry in the village church in 1954.
On Saturday, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with friends and relatives who organised a surprise party at Headlam Hall Hotel.
Before retiring, Mrs Heckley worked in the quality control department at pharmaceutical suppliers Glaxo, in Barnard Castle, for 40 years. Her husband worked in the sampling laboratory at the same plant for 21 years.
Mrs Heckley, 71, said: "A bit of give and take from us both has let us have a happy marriage and we've lots of good friends who arranged the lovely party for our anniversary."
Mr Heckley, 74, said: "We enjoy gardening, shopping and walking in the countryside together. We've a quiet life but a happy one together."
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