Goring couple who met when they were children celebrate 60 years of marriage

Mike Woods, son, Marcia Woods, daughter-in-law, Denise Woods , Phoebe Woods, grand-daughter, and Ken Woods

Ken and Denise Woods, of Warnham Road, Goring, were part of families who knew each other and attended the same church in Cheam, Surrey.

They married following an 18-month engagement and moved to Goring around 20 years ago after having four children and later 13 grandchildren.

Asked what the secret was to a long-lasting marriage, Denise, 81, said she and Ken had taken an oath to be with each other “through sickness and health”.

She said: “We are Christians who go to church each Sunday and when you promise to do things when you marry you stick through them through sickness and health.”

During the week before their milestone anniversary, Ken and Denise were visited by family and received a card from the Queen.

The couple have been active members of Goring United Reformed Church, in Shaftesbury Avenue, and Denise continues to play table tennis, having recently recovered from a broken arm playing the sport.

While Denise is known in the family for her sporting prowess, Ken is recognised for his intelligence, as a member of Mensa and a former physicist.

Ken and Denise’s anniversary brought further good news when they were told their first great-grandchild, a boy, was expected in September.

Denise added: “We’re so pleased. A lot of my friends already have great-grandchildren so I was looking forward to us having one as well.”