A COUPLE born and bred in the Braintree district are about to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.
Janet, 79 and Tony Beard, 85, were married at Wethersfield Chapel on October 6 1956.
The couple fell in love whilst both working at Lake and Elliots Founders and Engineers in Braintree and never looked back after meeting.
Janet, who was born in Blackmore End, was a lab technician and Tony, who was born in Finchingfield, was a machine operator.
The mother of two carried on working at the foundry until 1990, and may be a familiar face to anyone who used to visit Bakers Oven in George Yard.
Tony later moved on to work at Crittalls, Grouts, Bradburys, Carriers and Thos Peatling until he retired in 1996.
He also worked as a part time taxi driver in the evenings whilst Janet babysat for the US Airforce Families based at Wethersfield Air Base.
The couple have two sons Andrew and Richard, who were both born at Julian Courtald Maternity Hospital.
They also have two grandsons, a granddaughter, three great grandsons, two great granddaughters, with another due in November.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here