An Isle of Wight couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last week, taking a trip down memory lane to visit important landmarks from their past.

First meeting in Ventnor, Tony and Greta Coburn marked their special 60th anniversary on Thursday, June 22.

Greta was born and raised on the Island, while Tony moved here from Cardiff when he was young.

Tony’s father was in the RAF and was posted to Ventnor, with his family moving to the Island and deciding to stay.

Isle of Wight County Press: Tony and Greta in their younger yearsTony and Greta in their younger years (Image: Bev and Pete Moore)

Getting married at Whitwell Church on Saturday, June 22, 1963, the couple spent their honeymoon at Butlins in Bognor Regis.

Tony spent his working life as a lorry driver, while Greta worked at St Catherine’s Home and had stints working for Mr Morris in Newport and Scarrots Lane Bakery later on.

The pair went on to have three children, with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Isle of Wight County Press: Tony and Greta with their anniversary card from King Charles IIITony and Greta with their anniversary card from King Charles III (Image: Bev and Pete Moore)

On their anniversary, their daughter Bev took them to Whitwell Church and their two former homes in Ventnor to have their photos taken.

The couple then enjoyed a meal at Valentinos in Carisbrooke. 

The County Press asked Tony what the secret is to a long and happy marriage.

Isle of Wight County Press: Tony and Greta with their three children, Mark, Bev and Paul Tony and Greta with their three children, Mark, Bev and Paul (Image: Bev and Paul Moore)

He said: “You’ve got to be prepared to work things out. There’s no good having an argument and saying that’s it, I’m off, cheerio!

“You’ve got to work it out between you!

“We’ve had rows, the same as everyone else – sometimes big, sometimes small – but we work it out between us, and we got through, and we’ve had 60 years of it!”