A COUPLE who met at a dance in Calne in 1957 have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Ron Stempfer met the then Judy Francombe when she was just 18 at the old YMCA in Church Street.

At the time Judy was living in Green Lane, Calstone having moved there after being bombed out in Bristol.

Ron, 84, was stationed at 27 Group, Yatesbury Camp on the A4. Judy went to the village school in Calstone until she was 11 and then on to the old Bentley Grammar School on the Green in Calne. She said: "I am is still in contact with a few of my old school friends even now."

But after their marriage at Calstone Church in September, 1959 they moved to Balham with Ron's parents and later bought a house in Worcester Park in Surrey.

Mrs Stempfer, 79, said: "We moved as Ron was unable to get a job locally and we have been in the same house for 60 years.

"Our son was christened at Calstone Church and my bridesmaid at my wedding was Anne Powney from Bromham.

"I am still friends with some of the villagers and used to visit often, but Ron now has ill health and is unable to travel, so we are now just in contact by e-mail or telephone.

"My mother used to work at Maslen's Bakery which was in Church Street, Calne with her dear friend Mary Coleman.

"Many people will remember my mother by he nickname Frankie. My father was also stationed at RAF Compton Bassett until his early death at 58-years-old.

"Although we have lived in Worcester Park for 60 years, I still long for the days when I lived in Wiltshire, and miss the open spaces and the downs.