A PAIR of lovebirds from Bromsgrove who met by chance after they were both stood up by their dates are celebrating 60 years of happy marriage today (June 29).
Bob, 85, and Margaret Smallwood, 79, of Willow Road, met in remarkable circumstances outside the town’s Woolworths store in July 1955 and have been together ever since.
Daughter Barbara Wilkes explained: “They both went to meet their boyfriend and girlfriend at the time outside of Woolworths but neither showed up.
“As they were both waiting there, they turned to each other and asked if they wanted to go out together instead and they have been together ever since.
“My mom just cannot believe 60 years has gone so quick. She was overwhelmed from all the flowers and messages they have received today – she was almost crying!”
The pair married at St John’s Church at 2pm on June 29, 1957, and have two daughters Barbara and Dawn.
They also have three granddaughters, two grandsons, one step grandson, one step granddaughter, and two great granddaughters.
Ex-carpenter Bob and former playgroup supervisor Margaret used to be members of the Bromsgrove Olympic Cycling Club and owe their happy marriage to ‘staying healthy and always cycling’.
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