WELL known Forest couple Michael and Mary Merdeith-Edwards, of Sling, near Coleford, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last weekend.

Mike, a former merchant navy man with deep roots in the Forest, left the sea after the birth of his second son.

"He was away at sea when both the boys were born," said Mary.

But he couldn't get salt water completely out of his system – for many years after Mike ran a business winning sand from the Severn estuary.

The couple met at a village dance in Blakeney. Mike fell for Mary Peacey, who then lived at Soudley, and after a four year courtship they were married at St John's Church, Cinderford, on January 31, 1959. Following a reception at Soudley Village Hall they left for a honeymoon in London.

Mike and Mary brought up their family of three – sons Kerry and Mark and daughter Penny – at Sling. Both sons now live in Canada while Penny is in Norwich.

Mike, a former district councillor with a keen interest in local affairs, and Mary, a member of Drybrook Ladies Choir, have already celebrated at a party in Norwich. They are planning a cruise "somewhere warm" with members of their family later this year.