From Bridlington dodgems to cards from the Palace: Platinum couple receives greetings from the King

Harry and Phyllis Fearon celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with more than 60 relatives and friends, having received a card from the King to go with the two from the late Queen which came for their 60th and 65th anniversaries.

The Dinnington couple began courting after meeting on the dodgems in Bridlington in 1950, when Harry lived in Elsecar and Phyllis in Handsworth, Sheffield.

They were married at St Mary’s Church in Handsworth on March 14, 1953, after a three-year engagement and lived in Thurcroft and later Laughton Common and Dinnington.

The couple had six children, of whom four survive, eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Harry (92) is a former miner who worked at Thurcroft and Dinnington collieries, and Phyllis (87) was a florist before getting married.

After that, she had a variety of jobs, including 12 years with the Ministry of Defence.

They have travelled widely, taking in Australia, Malta, Spain and Egypt, and enjoyed gardening, reading and being members of a church group.

Their latest big milestone was marked with a party at the Traveller’s Rest at Brookhouse.