A golden double!

Irene had met her husband Albert Clarkson outside the town's Regal picture house three years before, and Vera started courting Leonard Smith after they met at a Scout rally in Padiham.

The two happy couples celebrated with a reception at Rishton Conservative Club, and went on to separate honeymoons in Blackpool.

Vera was in the Rangers and Leonard was in the Scouts when they met. By the time they married 18 months later, Leonard was working as a baker and confectioner and Vera was employed by Oxo in Great Harwood. The couple, of Harwood Road, Rishton, later worked side by side at Norden High School.

Vera, a former Rishton Guider, has been involved with the Guides throughout her life and is still a member of the association's Trefoil Guild at the age of 69. Leonard, now 74, said their shared love of caravanning holidays has taken them all over the country, especially for walking breaks in the Lake District, Dorset and the New Forest. Their son Graham lives in Great Harwood. Irene said: "All the lads used to stand outside the old Regal picture house in the High Street. I was 18 when I met Albert there. He was a lorry driver at the time and I was working in a mill."

Irene, now 71, later worked in mills at Rishton and Great Harwood. Albert, now 73, finished his career at polythene manufacturers Harrison Verity, at Eanam, Blackburn.

Irene and Albert, of Clifton Street, Rishton, have two sons. Ian lives in Rishton with his wife Patricia, two daughters and a son while Gary lives in Mill Hill, Blackburn.

This year the golden couples will have a celebratory meal together with Vera and Irene's other brother and sister. The family are well-used to big get-togethers - at Christmas they hire out the local church hall so more than 60 of them can celebrate.

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