It was during the dark days of the Second World War when
Land Girl Kathleen met farm hand John Snoad.

Last week the couple, were joined at their home in Westwell
Lane, Hothfield, by three generations of family to celebrate 65
years of marriage.

The couple’s relationship has survived wars, recessions and
hardship and is still going strong.

Even the Queen wrote, wishing them all the best.

But it hasn’t always been easy for the couple.

The hardship of war meant John and Kathleen, 86 and 85,
had to forego a white wedding.

Kathleen said: “I had to use my clothing allowance on bedsheets
and curtains for our cottage. We had no running water or
electricity but we were happy.”

And their secret to a long marriage?

Kathleen swears it is hard work and striving for a better life.
She said: “We had to pull together and we had to share everything.
People today say they are hard up, but they’re not really, not at
all.”