One of Britain’s longest married couples have celebrated 81 years of wedded bliss.
Ron and Joyce Bond, aged 102 and 100, tied the knot during the war after a ‘love at first sight’ meeting.
The couple have seen 15 different Prime Ministers take power but friends didn’t expect their 1941 union to last.
Daughter Eileen explained: “It was said of them at the time of their wedding, it would not last long.
“How wrong did folks get that?”
The couple attribute their successful marriage to “a little bit of give and take” and looking after each other.
Former Woolworths worker Joyce said: “We never expected to reach 81 years of marriage, we know we are very fortunate to have achieved this amazing goal.
“It feels excellent. There is no boss in our relationship, we both give and take.”
Ron, who served in the Second World War before working at a local garage, added: “Sometimes life is hard but we work through it together. We look after each other too.”
Ron and Joyce married at Newport Pagnell Registry Office when Ron was 21 and Joyce was 19.
They went on to have two children, Eileen and Bill, and are now great-great-grandparents.
The couple celebrated their anniversary on January 4 at their flat in a retirement village in Milton Keynes, Bucks.
They enjoyed cream teas and even got a shout out from Ken Bruce on Radio 2
at the request of son Bill.
The Bonds may have claimed the title of Britain’s longest married couple.
The previous record holders - Ron and Beryl Golightly from Yorkshire - were married for 80 years before Ron’s sad death in December.
Last year the Queen sent Ron and Joyce a signed letter for their oak anniversary, which read: “How wonderful to learn of your eightieth wedding anniversary on 4th January, 2021. I do hope you enjoy this marvellous occasion.”
Daughter Eileen added: “My parents are a truly inspiring couple, not only to my brother and I but to their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
“You only have to spend time with them to know they love and care for each other, even after 81 years of being married.”
