Retired publicans turned professional grandparents, Les and Margaret Ray, will celebrate their diamond wedding next week.

They were married on September 14, 1963, at the Whitehaven Register Office at 9.40am.

"It's where you had to go in those days," Margaret said.

The couple met at the age of 16 at the Clifton Tanner Rock.

Margaret said it was a place where everyone met on a Friday night.

They were married a year later and, as Les said, "were kids bringing up kids."

Those 'kids' included a son and two daughters and their daughter-in-law and now, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild that keep them very busy.  

"We have to save all year for Christmas," Margaret laughed.

Margaret was born and bred in Workington while Les was from Lamplugh. He followed in the footsteps of so many in the area, working down the coal mines, with his longest stay being with the Harrington Number Two pit.

When the mines closed, the couple went into the hospitality business running both clubs and hotels in Workington and around Copeland.

They started as steward and stewardess at the Lowca Curwenn Club. They were landlords at the Lamb Inn in Workington, the Globe Hoel in Distington, the Mossbay Hotel and Westfield Hotel in Workington and, finally, the Bransty Legion.

During that time Margaret raised thousands for charity, putting televisions in the old Workington Hospital, raising money for pumps for the Workington Lifeboat as well as raising money for Dovenby Hospital and St John's.

Much of this was done through the pubs but she did go the extra mile, doing an assault course which left her with painful rope burns from an abseil.

The couple, both aged 78, are retired now, but, with all those grandchildren, still have plenty to do.

They are celebrating their anniversary with a family dinner.

Congratulations!