A wedding date led to 60 years

A couple who met at a wedding in 1956 and went on to spend 60 years together will celebrate their Diamond anniversary.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.

Lily and Raymond Brook began courting after meeting at a friend’s wedding in Ackworth and were married the following year, on June 1, 1957, at Christ Church, Knottingley.

Mrs Brook said: “We met at Ackworth Church and then we went out with one another from then on.”

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The couple, of Pontefract, will celebrate their Diamond Wedding with a meal with family and friends on Saturday.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.

Remembering their wedding 60 years ago, Mrs Brook, 84, said: “It was very nice.

“We had Knottingley Town Hall and there were about 100 guests there.”

Mr Brook, who is 90 and from Pontefract, was employed as a window cleaner for around 25 years and later for oil company Total.

He has also enjoyed gardening and writing over the years.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/YWNG - 30/05/17 - Press - Lily & Raymond Brook Diamond Anniversary, Pontefract, England - Ray & Lily Brook.
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Mrs Brook, originally from Knottingley, worked in a nursery and later helped look after elderly people.

The couple also ran a florist’s in Pontefract for around four years.

They had three children, Ian, 59, and twins Craig and Andrew, 54.

They now have three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

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After their wedding Mr and Mrs Brook first lived in Knottingley, then moved to Myson Avenue, Pontefract.

Mrs Brook said: “We have lived in this house for 52 years.”

When asked the secret to a 60-year marriage, Mr Brook said: “If you have an argument you have to give way or it will go on for ever.

“You have got to back down.”

Mrs Brook added: “But we haven’t had many arguments.”

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