A RHYL couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary more than six decades after they met by a jukebox in a coffee bar.

Barry and Barbara Butterworth, aged 82 and 80, marked 60 years of happy marriage and lifelong friendship on Thursday, March 25.

They have always been a “together couple” and enjoyed each other’s company the most, meeting as teenagers in Ron’s Café in May 1958.

“It was all coffee bars and jukeboxes in those days,” said Barbara. “We were with a group of friends when we started talking and we got on straight away.

“I think it helps if you get to know someone as a friend first. When you’re young you have a lot going on and you don’t know if it’s going to last, but we did.

Barbara and Barry Butterworth pictured on their wedding day on March 25, 1961.

Barbara and Barry Butterworth pictured on their wedding day on March 25, 1961.

“We have always had a happy marriage, with some ups and downs, but we never go to bed on an argument, keep talking and don’t walk away from any situation.”

Sadly, for the first time in their marriage, they were not able to celebrate their anniversary together as Barbara is recovering after being treated in hospital for a fall and Barry is temporarily in a care home.

The couple became engaged two Christmases after they met and married in 1961. After settling down they then had three children in the space of two years – Darren, now 57, Michaela, 56, and Mandy, 55 – before their fourth, Penny, 52.

As a young family, they moved from Sale to Rhyl in 1971 after Barry, previously an engineer for Manchester City Council, took up the offer of an office relocation with Chubb Alarms.

Barbara said: “Barry came home one day and said, ‘do you fancy living by the sea?’, and I said, ‘yes, that would be nice’. We liked to visit the seaside in Cornwall and Llandudno before we moved, so we have enjoyed living here.

“We had a terrace house with three children and their cots in the only spare room, so it was a good job that we did move!”

Barry worked for Chubb Alarms for 30 years until his retirement aged 55, while Barbara worked a number of jobs including at the former Dutton’s Butchers on Rhuddlan Road, and retired with her husband.

In their retirement they have enjoyed a wave of holidays and cruises, most notably visits to Egypt, its culture and “mystery”, and a once-in-a-lifetime tour of China, when they walked along the Great Wall.

Barry and Barbara are also loving grandparents to their five grandchildren Zoe, Lewis, Chloe, Elysha and Maisie.

Daughter Mandy said: “Mum and dad have always been a very together couple; they always wanted to be at home with the family, spending time together.

“Dad worships the ground mum walks on and he is very gentle and caring. They compliment each other well and always have.

“They are looking forward to celebrating together with their family once they are reunited.”