A COUPLE who grew up in the same Isle of Wight village have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Keith and Pat Joyce, of Chale Green, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday last week with a trip to Windsor, where they enjoyed a carriage ride through Windsor Park and a day at the world-famous royal castle. 

The Island-born couple tied the knot at Chale Methodist Church on February 22, 1964.

Isle of Wight County Press: Keith and Pat Joyce celebrate 60 years of marriage.Keith and Pat Joyce celebrate 60 years of marriage. (Image: Keith and Pat Joyce)

Although they both grew up in Chale and went to the local school, Ventnor Secondary and the same Sunday school group, they only become aware each other much later due to a short age gap between them.

It was only when helping his father on his milk rounds, did Keith grab Pat's attention.

One day, in his haste to get the job done quickly, Keith accidentally smashed a glass milk bottle on the doorstep of Pat's parents' house. 

But they only met properly after an Easter church service.

Keith, whose family had moved near to Pat's home, offered to carry her bags for her and the rest, as they say, is history, as love developed from friendship.

"Keith was very easy to talk to and we just clicked," said Pat.

Not long after their marriage, the couple lived in a smallholding near where the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is today in Wroxall.

Keith also worked on a pig farm in nearby Whiteley Bank. 

They then moved to Roud, near Godshill, to run a council smallholding, before going on to own and run a successful agricultural contractor business for many years in Chale, up until Keith retired in 2012. 

Pat and Keith, who have two sons and daughters, together with 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, enjoy spending time with their family.

Their secret of a happy and successful marriage was summed up by Pat.

"It's about showing appreciation for each other, communicating well and having a strong faith, with all the Christian values that come with it," said Pat.

Keith, 83, still enjoys beekeeping, while Pat, the eldest of 11 children, enjoys baking. 

Both like gardening, to read and being involved with the church, with both co-founding members of the True Vine Church in Newport about 40 years ago. 

They also used to travel, with China, Canada and Switzerland among their holiday destinations.