SHARING an active lifestyle of walking and playing badminton and table tennis for many years helped to ensure a fulfilling 70-year-long marriage, say a Wroxall couple who are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary.
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David and Joan Gammage, of Coombe Park, tied the knot at Holy Trinity Church, Tottenham, in North London, on July 4, 1953.
Although their anniversary was on Tuesday, they celebrated it with family at their home at the weekend.
They met while working for the Westminster Bank (later to become NatWest) in famous Threadneedle Street in the city.
"When we got married, there were lots of bomb sites around. Tottenham was hit badly during the war," said David, 97.
"We got to know each other first," said David before he and Joan became an 'item'.
They celebrated their wedding with a romantic honeymoon in Paris.
"It was very unusual to have a honeymoon there in those days," said David.
"If people ventured to Bournemouth or the Isle of Wight it was a big thing — quite an adventure."
Joan loved the Parisien experience.
"It was the first time I'd ever been abroad. It was fantastic," she said.
The couple had an interesting life before settling on the Island — in Whitwell for almost 20 years initially, before switching to Wroxall.
They lived in Jamaica for almost a decade when David worked for Canadian institution, the Bank of Nova Scotia.
His career in banking lasted 45 years.
David and Joan, 90, decided to retire to the Island because of David's wartime links with it.
He lived in Beatrice Avenue, Shanklin, as a teenager, when his father, an optician, secured a job on the Island for two years during the Second World War. David went to school in Sandown.
Not long after that, David joined the Parachute Regiment, serving at Albany Barracks in Newport, before being stationed in Palestine.
Joan did secretarial work in educational establishments in Surrey and was also worked as a care assistant in Ventnor.
A once very active couple, David and Joan used to enjoy playing badminton, table tennis and indoor bowls.
Joan also enjoyed Scottish dancing and remains a member of Whitwell WI.
David was once a member of the Isle of Wight Athletic Club.
They were asked what the secret of a long and successful marriage is. Both showed their sharp sense of humour remains intact.
David quipped: "Keeping a low profile," while Joan joked: "It's about give and take. I do all the giving."
Joan added: "It's really about how you put up with things in life. It comes with the territory. We get there."
The couple have two sons, Richard and Jonathan, and two grandchildren. Another of their sons, Chris, died two years ago.
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