Mervyn and Pam Tommey celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary on July 29th, 2010. They met in 1948 when Mervyn walked past a local hairdressing salon and Pam caught his eye. He invited her to a ball at the Chase Hotel and they were married at St Frances of Rome Church two years later.

Mervyn was born in 1924 and lived in Wye Street, he led a Huckleberry Finn style life spending much of his time at the river. After attending Monmouth School he served in the Navy as a sub lieutenant during WW2.

In 1950 having recently married Pam he applied for and got the job of managing the Roxy Cinema, he couldn't believe his luck as the job came with a modern unfurnished flat. The only drawback was, he had no idea how to manage a cinema. However a month's training in Leatherhead was all he needed and he managed the opened Martine's hairdressing salon in Broad Street. Mervyn was also elected to Ross Urban District Council with a record majority and was elected as mayor in 1970.

Mervyn and Pam also enjoyed rowing and have had a long association with Ross Rowing Club. Mervyn was responsible for organising the first ladies race in this country when he decided to have a ladies race at the Ross regatta in 1947. The family tradition continues as their daughter Jane is then rowing coach at Hereford Cathedral school.

All the family are very musical, and Mervyn and his two sons were part of a band that played regularly at the Wye Hotel. One of their songs is used as the theme tune on the Late Late Show which is screened on the ABC network after the David Letterman Late Show. Son Steve is a music specialist in Worcester and their other son Glenn is a recording engineer who has worked with artistes such as Peter Gabriel and was a member of the cult group Stackridge.

Mervyn and Pam have lived in Upton Bishop for many years but they also enjoy foreign travel particularly to California where they own a home. When asked for the secret of their long and happy marriage Mervyn said: "We are not alike but somehow we just fitted together like jigsaw pieces and on all the major issues we have been in agreement. We never let let the sun go down on an argument. If I could go back I would do exactly the same things again."

They are planning a celebration barbecue with family and friends at the family home in Upton Bishop.