Couple are cruising to a golden day

Alison and Marshall Robinson

A CHANCE meeting between two young people in an Oldham pub has led to a happy 50-year marriage.

Alison Savory met her husband-to-be, Marshall Robinson, at the Star Inn during an interval between dances.

The couple were married at Holy Trinity Church, Bardsley, in 1958.

In a busy working life, Alison (69) and Marshall (68) ran three butcher’s shops in the Oldham area, a mobile shop and a farm — Besom Hill Farm at Moorside — where they raised cattle, pigs and turkeys.

Due to a hectic business schedule, Mr and Mrs Robinson seldom had time for a holiday, but they are now making up for lost time.

They have sailed away together on nine cruises, including one on the QE2, and in the lead up to their golden wedding anniversary tomorrow, the couple took 21 members of their family around the Mediterranean on a dream cruise.

In return, their four children will be treating Alison and Marshall to a trip on the luxury train the Northern Belle in the near future.

The couple say working together has been the secret of their enduring marriage and they are now enjoying a happy retirement.