Couple celebrate 70 years as Valentines (From Your Local Guardian)

Couple celebrate 70 years as Valentines

8:30am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Epsom By Lauren May

A 91-year-old couple celebrated 70 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day.

Charles and Ann Pearson, from Brumfield Road in West Ewell, married in 1942 when they were just 21 years old and 70 years later are still going strong.

Mr Pearson, originally from Edinburgh, met his wife when she was living in East London, during the war.

He was in the Royal Navy, serving as petty officer on the HMS Warspite and she was working in munitions.

After marrying in 1942, the couple moved to West Ewell in 1949, where they have lived for the last 63 years.

Mrs Pearson worked for 30 years in the kitchens at Glyn School in Kingsway, Epsom, while Mr Pearson plied his trade as an engineer.

Their family, which includes three children, five grandsons and two - set to become three - great grandsons, is due to celebrate the milestone with a big get together.

Spencer Hannan, a karate instructor from Epsom and one of the couple’s grandsons, said: "Every time I see them they say 'this is it, I’m on my way out', and they have been saying that for the last 10 years.

"We are very proud and amazed that anyone made 70 years We are going to have a get together all of the family.

"Everyone is extremely proud of them and they keep us going as something to aim for. They are very independent now even at nearly 92."

He added: "They have travelled lots. When they were younger they were going all over the place. They go out as much as they can and they both still hold their character.

"He [Charles] is very funny and is known as Jock. We have always called him Jock, not granddad. They are very down to earth and very caring to everyone."