Congratulations to Pembroke residents Tom and Veronica Rooke, who are marking a rare milestone today when they celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

Originally from Kent, the couple moved to Tenby in 1988 when they purchased The Buckingham Hotel on The Esplanade and ran the hotel up until 1998. Over the years they have been active members in the Lions Club, Riley Club and Gardening Club.

The sixty-year love story starts when Thomas Cyril Charles Clarke Rooke met Veronica Joy Shorter. They lived a couple of doors away from each other in Rochester, Kent and were introduced to each other by Veronica’s father. They were married on February 24, 1962 at St. Justus, Rochester, on Veronica’s 18th birthday.

Thomas, known as Tom to his friends and family, was a boiler maker apprentice when they met and progressed in his career to Inspection Engineer. he was still working freelance up until a couple of years ago. He is now 80.

Veronica, who turned 78 yesterday, worked as a shop assistant but left work when she had her children to dedicate her full attention to her family.

Tom and Veronica say the happiest moments of their life together were when they were blessed with three lovely daughters: Andrea, Helen and Debbie; and four grandchildren: Lydia, Alex, Thomas and Henry.

Tom has been a keen DIY’er all his life and in his younger years built a 16 foot silhouette sailing yacht from scratch. His daughters benefitted greatly from his DIY skills receiving gifts such as hand made dolls houses with electric lighting and a beautiful wooden slide.

He has also been a car enthusiast and refurbished many vehicles he has owned over the years including a Riley and a Morris traveller.

Veronica has always loved her dogs and over the years has competed in many competitions with her pugs.

Together, the couple have travelled a lot and have enjoyed a number of cruises including a two-month cruise to Australia visiting various interesting islands including The Cook Islands. In the past they have also done a lot of touring around England in their caravan.

A Diamond Anniversary is a great achievement - what has helped them to stay true to each other for 60 years? They simply say, “caring for each other.”

Tom and Veronica hosted an open house lunch celebration with friends and family on the day and are looking forward to a celebratory lunch with their family at The Grove, Narberth, on Saturday.