A Cross Roads couple celebrated their diamond wedding on August 15.

Dennis and Anne Bottomley, of Ruth Street, first met at a dance at the Keighley Mechanics Institute. They married at St James’s Church, Cross Roads, in 1953.

Mr Bottomley, 89, who was a clerical worker for two local textiles mills, paid tribute to their supportive family members. “We have a really nice family,” he added. “They live locally and we get to meet up regularly.”

Mrs Bottomley, 83, said she did not know where all the years had gone. She used to be a spinner and a winder at a mill, but also spent 20 years working as a dinner lady at the former Haworth Board School.

Mr Bottomley said he was extremely keen on sport, playing for Branshaw Golf Club until he was 84.

He has also played football and tennis, and is a patron of Oxenhope Football Club. “I still go and help out with the kit and dressing rooms on a Monday morning,” he said. “We’ve got three teams so there’s a lot to sort out.”

His wife arranged the weekly floral displays at St James’s Church for 40 years, and was a volunteer at Sue Ryder’s Haworth charity shop for 20 years. The couple (above) have a daughter and two sons, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.