Couple's secret to 73-year marriage

A couple who have been married for 73 years say they have never seriously fallen out.

Bill and Olive Miles mark each anniversary by returning to Guildford Cathedral, where they wed on 15 November 1952.

The pair, now 95 and 93, met at a youth club when Olive was 16 and Bill was a couple of years older.

"I went with one boyfriend and obviously came back with another one... and I've still got the same one," Mrs Miles said.

The couple married in front of 132 people when Mrs Miles was almost 20 and Mr Miles nearly 22, having completed his national service.

She said in 1952, the "shell" of the cathedral was there but it is not the site seen today.

It is a building that holds a lot of significance for the couple.

Mrs Miles, who was born in Canada, describes Guildford Cathedral as her "mother home".

"I was brought up there, I was the first to be confirmed there, and it's just always been my church, it doesn't matter where else I've been," she said.

In more than seven decades together the couple have travelled extensively, particularly after retiring, to countries including Canada, America, China, India, Nepal, Russia.

Mrs Miles says they were also handy on the dance floor.

"We were reasonable dancers," she said.

"We did amateur dancing, and we used to go to the Butlins dancing competitions in Brighton quite often, and we maintained our dancing right up until the 60th anniversary."

The couple renewed their vows after 25 and 50 years married, and hold a reception each year to mark the occasion.

These events, Mrs Miles explains, have grown smaller.

"As you get to 60 years, to 70 years, because in actual fact, when we look now at the wedding pictures of 132 guests, we are the only two left that are alive."

Their lengthy union has stood the test of time, and while there have been difficulties to manage, the Miles' remain united.

"We've never had a row or falling out really," Mrs Miles said.

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