A WEDDING day is the most treasured memory a married couple can share – but for two couples living in Bookham, it's not only their spouses they share the special day with.
Mr and Mrs Easun, of Lower Road, and Mr and Mrs Welford, of Hilltop Rise, celebrated a total of 120 years of wedded bliss on Thursday last week, after both couples reached their diamond wedding anniversaries.
Mary Easun, 80, and Sheila Welford, 82, first met when they both signed up to Bookham Flower Club.
But they had no idea of their shared special day until the Easuns appeared in the Advertiser ten years ago, celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.
Mrs Welford said: "When I realised we were married on the same day it was such a funny moment.
"I sought her out at the next meeting of the flower club and we confirmed it really was true."
Mrs Easun added: "It is quite extraordinary. When we had our picture in the Advertiser ten years ago, she came and told me we were married on the say day. I couldn't believe it.
"So when the diamond was coming up we compared ideas on how we were celebrating. It was lovely.
"It's such a long time and you don't see many diamond weddings anyway. It's just amazing."
Mary and Mike Easun met while they were both working for the Harrods Group as management trainees, and were married in London in 1953.
They now have three children – William, Tim and Lucy – and eight grandchildren, and have lived in the same house on Lower Road for 55 years.
Mrs Easun said: "We have had a very good life. This house has good vibes. We love living in Bookham.
"I always say if you're lonely in Bookham, it's your fault. There's so much going on."
Sheila and Michael Welford met when they both attended the opening night of a West End play which Michael's sister was appearing in.
The couple's parents were already friends after meeting on holiday the previous year, but Michael had been away serving in the armed forces at the time.
The couple married in Bramley in Hampshire before living in Middlesex for ten years, then moving to Oxshott for 35 years and finally Bookham for the last 14 years.
They have four children – Robert, Mark, Emma and Lucy – and seven grandchildren.
The couples both have the same advice to offer to people hoping to replicate their impressive joint track record.
Mrs Welford said: "The secret of a happy marriage is a good sense of humour, And plenty of give and take."
Mrs Easun agreed: "It's about space. We have a very good marriage but we both do our own thing."
