50 years of wedded bliss for golden pair

Austin and Jean Butterworth.

THEIR eyes first met across an unromantic factory floor, but that didn’t stop love blossoming for Austin and Jean Butterworth, who celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday.

It’s a double celebration for the pair, as Saturday is also their daughter Debra’s birthday.

Jean (72), of Chadderton, said: “We will be heading out for a lovely meal with Debra and our two grandsons, but we’ve not decided where yet.”

The couple were working in J Chadwick’s Mill in Middleton Road when Austin rook the plunge and asked Jean out on a date back in 1957. Jean said: “I liked Austin a lot and he would come and chat to me quite a bit when we were working, so we were already friendly when we started courting.”

Two years later, they tied the knot at Oldham Register Office.

Austin (75) now lives in Acorn Lodge, Failsworth, after developing Alzheimer’s Disease, but dedicated Jean regularly heads down to the home to visit her husband.

She said: “We have had a lovely life together and I think we’ve kept it going all these years with a little give and take.”