'Diamond' Isle of Wight couple celebrate 60 years of marriage

Yvonne Mary Prowse, nee Rouse, 82, and Robert Edward Keith Prowse, better known as Keith, 83, spent the day at a family and friends gathering at daughter Julie's house, where the champagne flowed.

It was on 11 October, 1958, that the couple first met, with Keith taking an instant shine to Yvonne and introducing himself, to which she replied: "If you want to dance, you need to ask me nicely!"

Keith and Yvonne on wedding day 1960

The couple were soon courting, and were engaged on July 13, 1959, Yvonne’s 21st birthday, and enjoyed a party at Camphill Prison Officers Club where her father, Charlie, was a prison officer.

A year later the couple married on August 13, 1960, at St Mary‘s Church in Carisbrooke, with the honeymoon spent in Jersey.

They purchased their first home at Medina Park in Whippingham for the princely sum of £594.

Yvonne was one of the Embassy Girls in The 1970s, worked in sales for most of her adult years and was widely known in hospitality circles across the Island.

Keith has his own building company, and moved the family on numerous occasions when successfully purchasing, renovating and selling property.

In 1978, he acquired Bellecroft House in Newport, refurbishing it back to its former glory and converting the house into eleven flats.

Bellecroft House in Newport — the couple's residence which Robert restored to its former glory

As well as their strong ties to the local community, Yvonne and Keith have travelled across the globe, including a flight over Mount Everest in a four-seater plane and a myriad of world cruises.

In his spare time, Keith enjoys playing snooker and was good friends with the late Willie Thorne.

Yvonne is a member of two flower clubs, the Women's Institute and has been a long-time volunteer at both St Mary's hospital and Mountbatten.

Keith and Yvonne, pictured in 2020, have enjoyed 60 wonderful years together

Their proudest achievements have been their three children, Julie, Helen and Katie, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Speaking of her parents, Julie said: "They are very family orientated and we all meet for a lot of holidays and social events.

"We all love celebrating, and this is a special day for two very special people who are deeply loved."