Valentine's Day is a very special day for Frinton couple (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Valentine's Day is a very special day for Frinton couple

3:00pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

A COUPLE are celebrating 60 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day, but claim sharing the date is more inconvenient than romantic.

Harold and Valerie Barrell, of Garden Road in Frinton, were married in Colchester on February 14 1953.

But Valerie, 79, says the date was just a happy coincidence at the time.

She said: “It’s certainly not because Harold is romantically inclined!

“We had to get married by special licence. Harold had just come back from Korea with the army and that was the earliest date we could get married.

“Originally we met when I was dragged on a double date. My friend was dating a soldier and she begged me to come along and meet his friend.

“We fell in love and got married four months later.

“We have our ups and downs like any couple but we’re still together all these years later, which is something to be proud of in this day and age."

The couple are celebrating their diamond anniversary on Valentine’s Day but say it is tough sharing the day with the holiday.

Valerie added: “It all sounds very romantic, but it is actually very difficult having your anniversary on Valentine’s Day.

“Everyone else is going out that day so it’s a nightmare getting anything booked up."