‘Trust, openness and humour’ is key to ‘very well-loved’ Mirfield couple who have celebrated 65th wedding anniversary

Kevin and Mary Stenson, who were both born in Bradford, in 1938, just three weeks apart, met at a church dance at the Queens Hall in the city.

And although it wasn’t love at first sight, it was “soon after,” and they married at St Joseph’s Church, Bradford, on July 8, 1961.

The couple have four children - Mark, 64, John, 62, Jane, 59, and Elizabeth, 53 - who were all born in different cities in England due to Kevin’s work.

They eventually settled in Mirfield in 1975, and have lived in the town ever since.

Elizabeth said: “They are incredibly devoted and are a very strong unit. They are great role models in terms of how they have dealt with a lot of things through the years.

“They have got a good sense of humor and are quite quirky individuals. People, over the years, seemed to gravitate to our house, and people remember how nice our mum and dad were.

“Dad would make a lot of time to ask people about themselves, and mum will still make the effort to go round and see their neighbours.

“They are very well-loved by everyone who knows them. They are just good, lovely people, who are both very kind. They think of, and check in, on others.”

Kevin and Mary - who have five grandchildren, Tom, Anna, Ellie, Joe and Sam - celebrated their anniversary with the family with a spot of lunch at the Rose and Crown in Cleckheaton.

Asked what the secret was to a long and happy marriage, the couple said: “Trust, openness, humour and a commitment to making it work from the outset.”