Born within a year of each other in the same village, Mr. and Mrs. John Woods should be Rushden’s proudest couple to-morrow when, with 17 of their relatives, they sit down to tea at their home, 80, Harborough-road, to celebrate their diamond wedding. They were born at Ravensden, Bedfordshire; Mr. Woods is 80, and Mrs. Woods is 81.

Hard work – and plenty of it – is their recipe for a long and happy married life. When they were married at Ravensden Church in 1879, a special peal of bells was rung in their honour, for Mr. Woods was then a bell-ringer at the church.

When Mrs. Woods was 15 the Zulu War broke out, and she still remembers reading about it at the time. Later on, when she and her husband had moved to Melchbourne, she recollects the great celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Fifty-two years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Woods came to live in Bedford-road, Rushden, but after living there only eight months, they went to 3, Little-street, where they spent 17 years. Then they lived at 2, Harborough-road for 15 years, and for six years at 1a. For the last 14 years they have lived at their present address, so in all they have spent 35 years in Harborough-road.

Mr. Woods used to work as a general carter in Rushden. He was a member of the Working Men’s Club at its inception, and never forgets his Sunday visit to the club. His passion in life is gardening, and he dreads the day when he will be too old for it.

Mrs. Woods was a member of the Rushden Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade for 21 years, gaining a long service medal. She was also president of the Co-operative Guild for a time.

Questioned on Wednesday about the war, Mrs. Woods replied, “Well, I’ve known four, but this is the worst.”

Mr. and Mrs. Woods have four sons, one of whom is in Canada, one daughter, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.