A DANCE in a meadow 62 years ago changed the life of Arthur Utting forever. It was at the Whitsun event at the village of Newborough, Cambridgeshire, in 1944 he set eyes on Violet, who was to be his wife. This week the couple, who live in The Paddocks, Po

A DANCE in a meadow 62 years ago changed the life of Arthur Utting forever.

It was at the Whitsun event at the village of Newborough, Cambridgeshire, in 1944 he set eyes on Violet, who was to be his wife.

This week the couple, who live in The Paddocks, Potton, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and this weekend will be having a party with their son and daughter, six grandchildren and their great granddaughter.

"I can still remember the day I met Violet," said Arthur, 87, a former carpenter who was born in Great Yarmouth.

"The do was in the village hall with a dance in the field. I went home and said to my mother I've met the girl I am going to marry."

Two years later they married in Peterborough. They have lived in Potton for over 25 years.

"We have had a wonderful life together, keep fit and active and do a lot together. But I always remember that dance all those years ago as though it was yesterday and what I said to my mum."

A former national president of UCATT (Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians) Mr Utting has spent the past 15 years tracing his family tree as well as being chairman of the Biggleswade and District Pensioners' Association.

"There have been a few shocks and surprises. I found I had two half brothers, one in the United States and the other in Canada and one ancestor was made a lord of the manor by William the Conquerer in Woodrising, Norfolk, so the family has a very interesting past and I'm still digging when I can so there might be a few more surprises."

This weekend Arthur and Violet, 83, will have a big family party in a local pub with family and friends.