A DEVOTED couple from Dorking have celebrated 50 years of marriage with a party just yards from the spot where they tied the knot.
Glory Mead residents Beryl and Philip Sworn welcomed 100 guests to North Holmwood Cricket Club on March 16 to recreate their happiest day which took place at nearby St John's Church in 1963.
The couple were joined by children Martin, Andrew and Vanessa – who organised the celebration with her partner, Wendy – and grandchildren Daniel, Thomas and Eleana as well as two of their bridesmaids and two of their ushers from the big day.
Mrs Sworn told the Advertiser: "It was an absolutely fantastic evening with our friends, family and neighbours.
"Everybody said 'what a brilliant evening'. It was magical and I thoroughly enjoyed it."
The 70-year-old put the success of the relationship down to a contented home life which has centred around their children.
She added: "We've always been very happy, except for two years ago when my husband slipped over outside Tesco and his shoulder hit me in the leg and fractured my tibia. He was unhurt, as was the bottle of wine he was holding.
"But that's pretty much been our only hiccup in 50 years of marriage."
