Trish and Patrick Brice, of Royal Wootton Bassett, welcomed relatives and friends to share a wonderful weekend celebration of their golden wedding.

The couple, who have many friends, are active in the local community. Patrick, a keen member of Royal Wootton Bassett Bowls Club, plays bowls at Westlecot, Swindon, during the winter, and enjoys gardening. He is a member of the Parochial Church Council, the Church Croft committee, the Friends of St Bartholomew's Church, the church's Fabric Team and Royal Wootton Bassett Probus Club. Trish, who is a Lay Pastoral Assistant, chairs St Bartholomew's Ladies' Guild and is a member of the church's Flower Guild. She previously served on the Church Council for eight years, and is on the rota for welcoming people into church on Sunday mornings. She enjoys entertaining, likes to cook and is excited at plans for a Christmas tree festival, which she is helping to plan at the church in late November.

A lunch at La Flambe, Sutton Benger, relaxation in their home and garden and an anniversary dinner at The Waggon & Horses, Beckhampton, all contributed to a memorable anniversary. Among many cards and messages of congratulation was a welcome phone call from their elder daughter Adele, a music teacher who has been in Nova Scotia, Canada for ten years. The Brices' younger daughter Nina lives in Marlborough, and there are four grandchildren - two in Canada and two (aged eight and 10) locally.

Trish, originally from Didcot, and Pat, of Faringdon, first met on November 23, 1962 at a party at Victoria Hospital, Swindon,where Trish was training for her nursing career, which has included midwifery, work as a ward sister, and as a tutor in nurse education. She copes cheerfully with her own health problems, and her friends say she is an inspiration. Patrick's career as an electronic service engineer with companies in Swindon, began with televisions and radios at the Co-op in his youth.

Trish and Pat were wed in May 1968, at All Saints' Church, Didcot. Trish's sister Hazel was matron of honour, with Hazel's husband Harry as best man. After a honeymoon in Parracombe, North Devon, Mr and Mrs Brice rented a flat in The Mall, Swindon, before moving to their present home in Wootton Bassett in 1970. They love caravan holidays, and hope to have a trip later in the summer.

Reflecting on their celebration, Trish said: "It's been a very, very happy time - a wonderful weekend, with fantastic people to share our special day - and so many beautiful cards and flowers. Everyone has been so kind."

Patrick said: "It's been lovely to have people to stay, and we've enjoyed the happy, relaxed atmosphere of the whole event, with family and friends from throughout the years."