Dancing to a life of happiness
THEY say music is the food of love – and that’s certainly the case for one Farthinghoe couple who toasted 60 years of marriage last Thursday (January 10).
George and Phyllis Beasley – who have lived in the village all their married lives – celebrated with a special blessing at Deddington Church, where they were married in 1953, and a party for family and friends at Farthinghoe Village Hall on Saturday evening.
The couple met at a dance in Aynho Village Hall in 1951 when Mr Beasley, now 84, was playing in his well-known band the Mellowchords.
Mrs Beasley was immediately smitten and the couple say music and dancing has been their shared love ever since.
Mrs Beasley, 81, said: “A gang of us used to go from Deddington to dances in all the villages and on this night he was playing in Aynho.
“It was just after refreshment time and he asked me if I would like the cherry off the top of his cake.”
Mr Beasley added: “I said ‘you needn’t take a taxi home, I will take you home in my car!’.”
Mr Beasley worked as a mechanic at Trinders Taxi firm. He proposed to Mrs Beasley – an apprentice dress-maker – in the back of a Rolls Royce he drove for the company while the couple were eating sandwiches one lunch-time.
The pair courted for two years; Mrs Beasley following the band to gigs all over the UK and the couple visiting many places of interest together.
After marrying Mr Beasley took up a communications post at RAF Croughton, where he worked until he retired after 48 years, receiving a long-service Imperial Medal from the Queen.
The couple have two daughters and a son, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren – all of whom were present on Saturday.
They still share many interests and have travelled all over the world together, but say it is their shared love of music which has kept them close.
“Music brought us together and made us husband and wife. We have met lots of friends through it,” said Mr Beasley.
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Weather for Banbury
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 15 C
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