A FREEMAN of York will today celebrate 60 years of married life with the woman he met at a dance.

Olive Hornby was 16 and living in Elvington when she first saw Harry Hornby, of Dunnington.

Thinking back to the days when the couple would step out together at village dances, Harry said: “We just got on, just got on together and she’s a good cook.”

Four or five years later, on March 19, 1955, they tied the knot at Holy Trinity Church, Elvington, and as they mark their diamond wedding 60 years later they are the head of a family of 35 – five daughters, one son, 19 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

“It’s gone too quick; time just flies,” said Mrs Hornby, now 81. “Everyone has their little arguments. We just stuck together. You work things out.

“We have been very lucky.”

She and Mr Hornby, now 89, moved to Lilac Avenue, off Hull Road, York, in 1957 and have lived in the street ever since. He initially worked at Elvington airfield building its long runway, but then moved to what was then Rowntree’s factory, where he stayed for 32 years until he retired. Mrs Hornby stayed at home bringing up their family.

Mr Hornby was made a Freeman of the City in 1954, an entitlement he inherited from his father – and which he has passed on to all his children.

The couple will celebrate their diamond wedding quietly with family and friends.