June and Taffy Skipping revisit Elmsett Church where they tied the knot nearly 70 years ago

Love was in the air when two care home residents celebrated a special milestone by revisiting the church where they tied the knot.

June and Taffy Skipping, 89 and 95, both residents at Care UK’s Hartismere Place, in Eye, toasted their 68th wedding anniversary by returning to Elmsett Church, near Hadleigh.

It was in Elmsett where the couple grew up as next door neighbours and where their friendship blossomed into romance.

Knowing he wanted to marry June, Taffy proposed, and the couple got married on March 31, 1956.

Claire Martin, home manager, said: “We were honoured to help June and Taffy celebrate this momentous milestone and take them back to the very place they tied the knot so many years ago.

“It was wonderful to help the couple reminisce and hear about all their memories from their wedding day and life together.

“June and Taffy are a delight and we especially love it when they share their wisdom about building a strong and successful marriage that I think we could all learn from.”

The couple went on to have two children together, Barbara and Angela, four grandchildren, Joey, Danny, Max and Abbie, and six great-grandchildren.

Taffy worked for Church Farm in his youth and then in the local mill until he retired in 2000.

June worked in their local corner shop before joining the team at Marks & Spencer’s later on in her career.

When asked what the secret to a long-lasting marriage was, the couple said respect and sticking it out even when times get tough.