Four generations of the Coombes family

AN AIRMAN fell in love with a butcher’s assistant more than 60 years ago and four generations of their family got together this week to celebrate the couple being happily married for six decades.

Senior Aircraftman Len Coombes, originally from South Wales, met Shirley Harman in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

Len, stationed at RAF Melksham as an electrician, moved away from his home village of Cilfynydd, near Pontypridd, and married his bride at Trinity Church in Trowbridge on August 2, 1952.

Upon Len, now aged 82, leaving the Royal Air Force in 1955 he and Shirley made their home in Trowbridge with their family.

Over the years they lived in Swindon, Oxfordshire, Wotton Basset, Bristol, Leicestershire and Pen-y-Fai in South Wales, before finally settling in Worle 28 years ago.

Len’s hobbies include rugby and horseracing, although he is very much an avid armchair supporter these days.

Shirley, aged 79, is an active member of Weston Homemakers.

The three younger generations who attended the afternoon diamond wedding anniversary celebrations with Len and Shirley, of Trenleigh Drive, were Nicholas their son, Justin their grandson and two great grandsons, Reece and Daniel, aged 11 and eight.

Weston mayor and mayoress, David and Carol Hitchins also joined them.

A lovely day was had by all and was only marred by the Royal Mail’s failure to deliver the Queen’s congratulations card to the happy couple on time.