A DEVOTED couple from Thornbury recently celebrated seven decades of marriage.

Malcolm and Christine Mullins both originally grew up near Lymington in Hampshire and eventually moved to Berkeley in early 1961. 

Malcolm worked at Berkeley Power Station and moved into the Thornbury area while working at Oldbury Power Station. 

After retiring from Oldbury at the age of 55, he continued to work locally until his official retirement at the age of 65.

Malcolm, aged 92, and Christine, aged 90, celebrated their platinum anniversary on February 13 with a special lunch with their three children, daughter-in-law and two sons-in-law.

The pair previously appeared in the Thornbury Gazette in an article about their 50th Golden wedding anniversary 20 years ago 

At the time Christine was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. 

Since then, the couple has seen all seven of their grandchildren marry, and they now have fifteen great grandchildren who they see on a regular basis.

Gazette Series: Malcolm and Christine at the wedding of their grandson in May last year Malcolm and Christine at the wedding of their grandson in May last year (Image: Family photo)

Christine also previously worked until retiring.

Among her many jobs, she worked as a dinner lady at St Mary's Primary School, Christ the King Catholic Primary School, and Thornbury Adult Education Centre.

She also worked as an auxiliary nurse at Thornbury Hospital and finally retired at 60 while employed as a home care assistant.

The couple have also spent a lot of time travelling in Europe and America together.

Lesley McConnachie, the couple's youngest daughter, said: “They live together in their house in Thornbury and manage amazingly well with no help from anyone and are still very happy.  

“They met through mum's friend, who was dating dad's older brother.

“She told her that her boyfriend had a younger brother who was in the merchant navy and wanted someone to write to him.  

“They became pen pals and met up on his return home, the rest, as they say, is history.”

Lesley added: “Mum attends Thornbury Flower Club, something she has done for many years, decades, and has a beautiful garden which she tends herself.  

“Dad enjoys his vintage motorbikes, and drove round Europe with his friends well into his eighties.  

“He now helps out in the men's shed in Thornbury, twice a week and says when he arrives, “the boy”, makes him his tea, the boy is in his seventies!"