A BUSHEY couple whose first encounter resulted in an argument about the result of a netball match, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Devoted husband Mr John Delvin, 71, and his wife Mrs Elizabeth "Betty" Delvin, 71, of Cotswold Avenue, Bushey, celebrated 50 years of married life on Friday, June 21.

The couple, who married at age 21, in the old Watford Registry Offices, met as teenagers at a netball match in which Mr Delvin was a referee. He said: "We were both 16 then, her team had lost and she accused me of cheating, we argued."

Several months later the pair were reunited at a youth club in Bushey. Mr Delvin said they "just hit if off" the second time round. He recalled the night he proposed to his wife-to-be, he said: "It just happened on a foggy night as we walked through Bushey park.

"We were in deep conversation about our futures and I asked her if she would marry me. She said yes and three years later, after I had come back from serving in the war, we were married."

The couple now have three children, Linda Delvin, 49, Susan Delvin, 47, and Philip Delvin, aged 41; three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Mr Delvin said: "We have had a happy marriage, with wonderful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Of course we have had our ups and our downs, but have always tried to work things out.

He said: "I think the secret to our marriage has been to have a good sense of humour and to never give up on each other. It is also about give and take - I do all the giving and she does all the taking" he jested.

Sadly, 16 months ago Mrs Delvin suffered a stroke which has affected her movement and speech pattern. Mr Delvin said: "Since the stroke we have become even closer. It means that I have to look after my wife; cook and clean for her, but I am happy to do it, it makes me appreciate how hard she worked when she was raising the children.

"Unfortunately she can not speak any more, but if she could, Betty would say that this marriage has been good and that she has been blessed with a wonderful family, including two twin great-granddaughters who were born last year.

"Our family gave us a golden wedding anniversary bash in my daughter's farm house in Northampton, it felt wonderful to be surrounded by the people we love, I just thought to myself, long may this marriage continue."

June 25, 2002 16:30