A couple who live in Douglas have reached their 65th wedding anniversary milestone.

Joyce and Malcolm Kinley have been looking back on the day they were married at Michael Parish Church in Kirk Michael on December 11, 1952.

Malcolm, aged 93, who was born in Port Erin, said: ’It’s been so easy with Joyce and it’s been a wonderful 65 years.’

’We met through friends in Peel. I used to work building the new buildings in Peel after the war and my friends and I went to the clubs in Kirk Michael, where we used to go dancing.

’I looked around and here was this girl standing pretty close by. I thought "here we go" and that was it,’ he said.

’I later asked Joyce for a date, but she turned me down because she had a friend coming over from Liverpool.

’I saw her a while later when I went for a drive with some friends and asked her again.

’She said yes and we went for a swim and I took her for a spin in my car,’ he added.

Joyce, who was born in Kirk Michael in 1930, said: ’We met in St Michael’s hall, which was built by my grandfather George Daniel Crowe.

’Our wedding was great. It was a fine day and we had a wonderful reception.

’We’ve travelled a lot over the years and have had five children together.’

The pair emigrated to Canada in 1956 before moving to the United States four years later.

’There was no work here after the war,’ Malcolm said. ’We moved to Canada and then California where we had the rest of our kids before coming back to the island in the 1970s.

’It’s lovely being back home now.’

The couple were sent flowers celebrating their anniversary and about 70 cards from friends, children; Alastair, Fraser, Roger, Susan Johnston and Geoffrey- most of whom still live in America- along with their grandchildren.

Fraser, who lives on the island, and sister Susan. who travelled over from Idaho for the occassion, enjoyed a meal out with their parents in celebration of their 65 years together.