JIM Howley found pit shifts hard in the 1950s but it didn't stop a burgeoning romance and now he is celebrating his diamond wedding with wife Ruth.

"I spent most of my working life on shifts – if anything it made you that little bit more irritable and inclined to lose your temper," he joked this week.

The pair now live in Lydney, moving from Yorkley in 1987. They were married at Viney Hill church on March 17, 1951 – Ruth still arranges flowers at the church almost every week.

Jim was called up as a Bevin Boy in the war and was sent off to pit work in Yorkshire. When he returned to the Forest he worked at the Princess Royal Colliery where he became a member of the Forest Rescue Team. From there he worked at Lydney Farmers' Stores, Pine End Works and finally ICI at Brockworth.

He helped in the restoration of Viney Hill Church, becoming the youngest churchwarden in the Gloucestershire diocese. In later years he was a member of the FOD Bereavement Support Group and an Eucharistic minister.

He also enjoyed painting and was a member of West Glos Art Society. Unfortunately his failing eyesight now makes this difficult and he has had to give up driving, says daughter Margaret.

Ruth has devoted her life to the care of her family and church. One of her greatest pleasure has been her garden and flower arranging.

She has been a member of Lydney and Severnside flower club for 20 years. She still catches the bus to Viney Hill most Fridays to arrange the sanctuary flowers. She has participated at Flower Festivals at Gloucester Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey, St Mary's, Lydney, and of course often at Viney Hill church. Ruth was also the enrolling member of the Mothers' Union.

They have two children – Colin and Margaret – and three grandchildren, Oliver, Sarah and Tamsin.

"We never really expected to get this far," Jim added. He had one recommendation for a long and happy marriage: "Respect your partner."

There is to be a party for family and friends at the Viney Hill club.