A MEETING at a dance in Malvern’s Winter Gardens led to 60 years of marriage for one couple.

Madge Napper, or Miss Woodyatt as she was then, came from St John’s, Worcester, and her future husband Ted Napper from Taunton in Somerset He moved to the area in 1950 to work as a technical engineer for the Ministry of Defence.

They were married at St John’s Church on September 27, 1952, and the couple now live in Guarlford, near Malvern.

While Mr Napper pursued his engineering career, his wife, who had trained as a milliner in Worcester, joined Malvern’s upmarket department store Warwick House.

“I used to make the model hats for all the brides, and for a while I taught millinery as well,” she said.

“Even when I retired from Warwick House, I continued to make hats for ladies who were going to Ascot or to Buckingham Palace garden parties.”

Mr Napper’s engineering interests meant the couple developed a great interest in model engineering, and for many years they were involved with the Welland Steam Rally together.

“We’ve always been a great team,” said Mrs Napper.

“We’ve worked together and enjoyed our interests.

“We never had any children, but we do have some wonderful nephews and nieces.”

Mr and Mrs Napper had lunch with some of their relatives at the Diglis House Hotel in Worcester, where their wedding reception was held, and marked their anniversary with another family meal.