A South Oxhey couple have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, six decades after the Watford Observer featured their big day.

Irene and Ron Voss tied the knot on September 26 1964 in Irene's mum's living room, with the ceremony being featured in the pages of this newspaper.

Ron played football in the area for many years, as well as working for Three Rivers council, while Irene worked at Watford General Hospital for decades, retiring shortly before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The couple met at a party inside Bill Taylor’s Cafe on the South Oxhey estate, quickly falling in love. Irene recalls that she and her friends would go to the café to have a look at the boys, with the popular establishment being a go-to spot for the areas footballers.

Irene and Paula on their wedding day.Irene and Ron on their wedding day. (Image: Paula Voss) They've lived in the same house on Oakdale Close since 1971, with Irene saying: "We've lived and watched this estate grow and saw the changes, which have been incredible.

"Everything has changed but we're still here!"

Her husband added: "We've had a good time here and have lived on the estate for many years, never even considering moving away."

The couple have been married since 1964.The couple have been married since 1964. (Image: Paula Voss) For their diamond anniversary, daughter Paula sprung a surprise, getting three of her mum's original bridesmaids to attend a secretly planned party.

The couple with the three original bridesmaids from their wedding.The couple with the three original bridesmaids from their wedding. (Image: Paula Voss) Paula had originally told her parents that the anniversary would be celebrated in a "low-key" fashion.

Irene said: " I thought we were just going out for a meal but it was an amazing surprise. All the old wedding pictures were on the wall and our house looked like a florist with all the amazing flowers."

On the day, received a card from The King to mark the occasion, a landmark anniversary reached by only around two per cent of married couples.

A keen footballer his whole life, Ron fondly recalls playing (and scoring) at Vicarage Road, saying: "I felt like the king of the castle when I scored that, it was a decent strike too - 25 yards out from goal!

Daughter Paula threw a surprise party for the couple.Daughter Paula threw a surprise party for the couple. (Image: Paula Voss) In later life, Irene and Ron have taken to cruising and say they are "blessed" to still be enjoying life -  they spoke to the Watford Observer on Irene's 82nd birthday while preparing for a trip to London!

Irene and Ron's wedding, as reported in the Watford Observer.Irene and Ron's wedding, as reported in the Watford Observer. (Image: Paula Voss)