YEARS of separation and upheaval could not dampen the love between Stonehouse couple Ron and Sheila Page, who celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow, Thursday.

Having first met in July 1949 at the old Blue Ballroom on Eastbourne Pier, where Ron asked Sheila to dance, the couple wed months later at St Michael and All Angels Church in Eastington on February 25, 1950.

Three weeks later however, Ron, now 84, who was serving in the RAF at the time, was posted to the Far East for more than two years, leaving Sheila and their first born Clive behind until they were able to join him in Hong Kong for the final year of his deployment.

Soon after returning home to Kent, where Sheila, now 79, gave birth to their second child Angela, the whole family was again relocated to Germany for two and a half years and then to Yorkshire for a short while before Ron bid a tearful farewell to take up office alone at RAF Gan in the Indian Ocean for his final year of service.

Upon his return they settled down in Nailsworth with Ron taking a job at the former Sperry Gyroscope factory in Stonehouse and Sheila working as a legal secretary in Gloucester.

Since taking retirement together more than 25 years ago, the couple, who have four grandchildren and five great grandchildren, have remained at their home in Anderson Drive, Stonehouse, where they indulge in many hobbies.

Chief among these is Sheila’s newfound passion for painting, which is evident from her dozens of beautiful art works scattered around their home, and her continued volunteer work at the Broadfield Road sheltered accommodation centre in Eastington.

As well as pottering around in the garden, Ron is a keen amateur photographer and also enjoys regular swims at Dursley Pool.

When asked how their relationship survived despite the pressures of Ron’s time in the RAF, Sheila said: "You have to keep caring, sharing and loving each other while you are apart.

"Ron sent me love letters all the time and it was the feeling I had when I saw them on the doorstep every morning that kept me thinking of him."