Charlton Kings couple celebrate Diamond Wedding
THEY were the classic pairing of beauty and brains.
She was a former Dior model who graced the pages of Vogue and he was a Nato scientist who went on to work for GCHQ.
And Pamela and Brian Willoughby have proved that love can last a lifetime.
The pair, who live in Verney Close, Cheltenham, are celebrating 60 years of marriage tomorrow when they will be joined by family and friends for a special garden party and a toast to their years together.
The couple say hard work has kept them together over the years.
The pair first caught one another's eye at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, when Brian, 83, enquired if Pamela, who worked there at the time, was as bored as he was.
They later fixed a date to meet and the rest, as they say, is history.
The pair were married on July 5, 1949 in Sacred Hearts Church in Pamela's hometown of Teddington.
To their delight they received a certificate of blessing on the day from the Pope.
Pamela, 82, who has a Catholic, Italian background had a cousin who worked as part of the Swiss guard in the Vatican.
Brian said: "I think the vicar was as shocked as anyone when he saw it. He shook himself rigid. It meant a lot to both of us."
Pamela gave up modelling when they moved to the Hague for Brian's new job with Nato's Air Defence.
Brian said: "I thought she was beautiful and I still do. She was very popular so I had to fight others off to keep her and work a bit of charm.
"Pamela's an intelligent woman and we've always got on. When I proposed I did it the traditional way and asked her father for her hand in marriage."
The pair moved to Cheltenham in 1961 when Brian took up a post at GCHQ. They have two children, Matthew and Victoria.
Pamela said: "Everyone has their ups and down's but we love the same things and we have similar backgrounds. We've shared so many wonderful experiences that we'll never forget.
"We love travelling and food and we talk to one another."
6 Comments
by Joyce Ireland, Ottawa, Canada
Monday, August 10 2009, 1:08PM
“Sixtieth wedding anniversaries are rare and happy occasions. Pamela and Brian's invitation was one that I could not let pass. And... what a wonderful opportunity it gave me to congratulate them in person and to thank them for their enduring love and friendship.
The celebrations were "vintage Willoughby" delightful company,delicious food in elegant surroundings and memories resonating from the mid 1960's .”
by Yoko ENATSU, Japan
Thursday, August 06 2009, 11:13AM
“The diamond wedding party, with family and friends, was so touching and so beautiful. Thank you to Pamela and Brian.”
by didier SCHMITZ, France
Monday, July 27 2009, 11:15AM
“The 60s wedding party was really successful, many thanks for Pamela and Brian. I was the page of their wedding. I am so happy and proud of them.”
by Victoria Jennings, Okehampton, Devon
Monday, July 06 2009, 1:45PM
“Thank you so much to the Gloucestershire Echo for reporting this Story. The article reads really well and my parents were utterly delighted and had a really super day with their friends and family. It is so refreshing to read positive and happy news.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
by John Oates, Cheltenham
Saturday, July 04 2009, 1:11PM
“We have been privilaged to know this wonderful couple since a chance meeting in a shared taxi some ten years ago. Your photo does neither justice. Pam is still like an elegant Dior model and Brian is a passable body double for Colonel Sanders of fried chicken fame. You had also better be on you mental toes when in conversation with them. A shining example of the 80s being the new 60s.”
by patsy, cheltenham
Saturday, July 04 2009, 9:05AM
“Many congratulations. Its always so lovely to hear that couples can be together forever. My parents were married for 63 years. And this lovely couple have the same look about them as my parents, I think its called love.”