Former Southam mayor and mayoress celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary

Rowan Parker met Jean Williams when they literally bumped into each other on their bicycles at Bascote in 1952.

After a brief discussion about their cycling skills, Mr parker asked Jean for a date and it all started from there.

They were enagaged in 1953 and married at St James church in Southam on Sunday February 20 1955.

The couple found a house to rent in Long Itchington, which was a rare thing in those days, and Mrs Parker worked at the Co-op next door.

Mr and Mrs Parker have four children - a daughter, Hilary, who died in 2010 and three sons, Duncan, Carl and Neil.

They also have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mr Parker worked for Hawker and Bristol Siddley in Coventry before transferring to the Rolls Royce Engines Ltd in 1972.

He completed 30 years of service for the company and took early retirement in 1983.

Mrs Parker wored at Southam High School until 1987 and they both then worked at Coventry Building Society until retiring in 1994.

Mr Parker was a parish and town councillor in Southam for 24 years and in 1975 he and Mrs Parker had the honour of becoming mayor and mayoress of Southam and again in 1985.

Mr Parker joined the town’s Lions club in 1975 and was responsible for reviving the Mop fair.

He was president of the club in 1981.

Mrs and Mrs Parker both agree that they have led a happy and rewarding life and that, with the exception of the loss of their daughter, the years have been kind to them.

“Being in love with each other has played a very large part of those 60 years,” they said.