SOME sparkling celebrations are being laid on for three couples who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversaries. Joan and Billy Barker, Molly and Roger Isaac and Lily and John Hodgeson are all members of Wymondley Lunch and Social Club and have all notc

SOME sparkling celebrations are being laid on for three couples who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversaries.

Joan and Billy Barker, Molly and Roger Isaac and Lily and John Hodgeson are all members of Wymondley Lunch and Social Club and have all notched up 60 years of marriage.

Club organiser Una Bracey has promised a musical celebration at the meeting today (Thursday) to help mark the milestone.

Members will enjoy a three-course lunch with a glass of wine and musical entertainment from two squeezebox performers.

Mrs Bracey said: "They are all lovely couples and we're looking forward to celebrating this special occasion with them."

Joan and Billy, 81 and 87 respectively, met when Joan was 17 and in service at Redcoats Green.

When she was cycling home to Graveley with her sister one winter's evening, a gang of young men started throwing snowballs at them.

One of them was Billy and the pair got to know each other from there, eventually marrying at Graveley church on June 22, 1946.

They went on to have two daughters and a son, and now have seven grandchildren. The family has lived in Grimstone Road, Little Wymondley, for 50 years.

Joan, who is sure she must have got Billy back for throwing the snowball all those years ago, said the secret to such a long marriage is hard work.

"You've got to work hard at it. Give and take. Just get along," she said.

Just a week after the Barkers were married, on June 29, Molly and Roger tied the knot at St Ippolyts church.

The couple, who are now both 86, met 63 years ago in Hitchin Market Place when they were out for the night with a group of friends.

Their daughter Susan is now 56 and lives in Royston.

The Isaacs also live in Grimstone Road and celebrated their anniversary with a family get together.

Molly said: "We've had our ups and downs as everybody else does.

"We've always been there for each other, we make a good pair. I wouldn't be without him and I don't think he would be without me."

The Comet were unable to contact Lily and John Hodgeson