74 years of marriage marked by couple who married in Holy Trinity Church in Stowupland in 1947

A couple spent a special day together as they celebrated an incredible 74 years of marriage.

Phil and Jill Mason, who are 97 and 94, respectively, live together at The Depperhaugh nursing home, in Chickering Road, Hoxne, since moving there in March.

Manager Sarah Fox laid elaborate plans for their big day included Savoy-style afternoon tea, the menu for which was devised by the home’s award-winning chef Trisha Stephens.

The couple first met at Park Farm in Stowupland when they were still teenagers, before being parted by Mr Mason’s decision to join the Navy at the advent of the Second World War in 1939.

They stayed in touch and, after the war, the pair decided to marry in 1947 at Holy Trinity Church in Stowupland.

They went on to have three children, Timothy, Jacqueline and Nicky, and are now grandparents to eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their daughter, Nicky Kelly, said: “Their home was filled with laughter and good food, especially my mother’s roast lunches, which were legendary to all who were lucky enough to have them.

“My parents always said that they were friends first, which helped them to be partners for their life together.

“They feel truly blessed to have had such a happy 74 years together and our family all agree that we are fortunate to have had such wonderful parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, who fill them with inspiration and love every day.”

With Mr Mason having been a well-known farmer at Park Farm, the couple’s son and grandson now run the farm where they met many years ago.