The double diamonds

21 July 2010

A COUPLE who began courting after a works outing celebrated 60 years of married life.

Diamond wedding anniversary pair Ellen, 78, and Peter Redwood, 82, of Chester Road, Canning Town, have lived most of their lives in Canning Town.

The pair, pictured, met while working for Tate & Lyle - Peter in raw sugar and Ellen, known as Nell, in packing.

The company had organised a "beano'' to Southend. Peter said he had to compete against rivals to have a chance to court his future wife.

Their first date was the following night in August, 1949, when they saw Olivia de Havilland in the film The Dark Mirror.

A year later the couple married.

Peter told the Recorder: "You get people who say 'love at first sight'. But for us we started courting and finished up together.

The couple have four children, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

Full story in this week's Recorder