December 25 meant more than just Christmas Day to a 79-year-old Rushden couple. It was also their golden wedding anniversary.

They are Mr. Walter Wix and his wife, Elsie, of 93 Hayway, who have lived in the town for the whole of their married life.

Mr. Wix was born in Wellingborough and as a young man joined his brother pioneering in Canada. He returned to England to join the Navy and during the First World War he served with the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow on one of the first aircraft carriers, Furious.

Mrs. Wix came to Rushden from Kegworth and after a few years in the shoe trade she taught herself cake decorating. After a course at Manchester Technical College she started making wedding-cakes and for 30 years her cakes were familiar at local weddings.

Since he retired from the shoe trade nine years ago, Mr. Wix has enjoyed gardening and beekeeping. They both attribute their old age to eating honey and being agile enough to dodge angry bees.

Mr. and Mrs. Wix, who were married at Park Road Methodist Church, have one son and two grandchildren.