Stephen and Margaret Baldwin's 60 years of wedded bliss

The mayor wrote: “Unfortunately Covid restrictions still prevent me from joining you to celebrate your 60th Wedding Anniversary but the flowers and card are sent with all my love on your special day.”

The couple from Grains Bar lived in Derker, Oldham and went to infant and junior school together.

Stephen’s first job was at Fletcher's Paper Mill in Greenfield and doing some taxi driver work to earn some extra money.

He had many jobs around Oldham but moved into painting and decorating and his last employment for many years was at Thornham Supplies Decorating, Oozewood Road, Royton.

Margaret’s first job was at the Oldham Evening Chronicle but most of her working life was spent at Dawson Precision Components based in Shaw. She loved her job at Dawson’s as she was able to work with the same lifelong friends as its their family business.

The couple have a daughter, Debbie Tootill, and granddaughter Emma.

The mayor added: “The couple absolutely love gardening and grow their own vegetables in their large garden which they have tendered together for many, many years and still do even though they are both 80.

“They have spent many hours in it over the years and it is a labour of love for them.

"They also do all sorts of ballroom dancing and have passed lots of exams over the last 30 years or so. They usually attend lots of tea dances and evening do’s around the borough but due to Covid they are missing their dancing and the friends they made.

“However, it hasn’t stopped them and they now put the music on in their garage and practice their dance routines in their garage at home to keep fit

“They also love walking and can often be seen walking the hills of Grains Bar even on misty and snowy days! They also love their holidays and Portugal is their favourite destination which is where they will probably be heading when we are allowed to travel abroad again.”