Bristol pen friends celebrate 65 years of marriage

A Knowle West couple who met on a blind date have celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Ted Pearce was serving in the Navy when his sister, Violet, decided to set him up with her friend, Alice, and today is their wedding anniversary

Mrs Pearce was already engaged to another man when she was introduced to Ted but broke off her previous engagement after she met him.

She said: "I got talking with Violet and she said she had a brother in the Navy and would I like to write to him.

"I told her I was already with a fellow but I did write to him."

Mr Pearce, 87, said: "I wasn't getting letters very often, so my sister asked Alice if she would write to me.

"It was something to look forward to.

"I met Alice when I came home on leave and when I went back I wrote and asked her if we could get engaged and we were married in no time."

The couple were married at Christ Church in Hengrove, followed by a reception at the Friendship pub in Knowle. Mrs Pearce, 84, wore a dress borrowed from the wife of one of Ted's friends from his ship.

She said: "I borrowed the dress and veil, which was very nice.

"And our mothers put together their coupons so we could have a spread at home in Throgmorton Road and a cake."

The couple lived at Mrs Pearce's family home for a couple of years before getting rooms in Redcliffe when Mr Pearce was demobbed.

They had three children, Wendy, Brennan and Suzanne and now have six grandsons and four great-granddaughters.

On Saturday, they were treated to an anniversary party at Knowle Cricket Club with family and friends.

They were planning a quieter celebration today.

Mrs Pearce said: "We have had 65 years together now and we hope to go along for a little longer."

Former brick-layer, Mr Pearce said: "We have our arguments the same as everybody else but we never hold malice. We have a few words then it is gone and forgotten.

"We were really proud to have our family and friends around us for our party. It was surprising how many people were there."