A COUPLE who married in Weymouth have just celebrated their golden wedding – despite the big day being filled with drama.

Mike and Marilyn Tuck were married on December 14, 1963, at the Holy Trinity Church in Weymouth in front of family and friends.

The couple first met in the early 60s, when they both worked at North Mills with Bridport Industries, the local ropemakers, when Mr Tuck was the assistant manager and the future Mrs Tuck was a roll winder. They were engaged in 1962, a year after they met.

However, there were a few hairy moments for both the bride and bridegroom on their special day, as Mike’s brother was caught speeding getting to the church, causing the groom’s late arrival. Mr Tuck explained: “I was travelling to the church in a Hillman Minx with my brother, Bert, and it broke down because it was overheating, which meant we had to get it going again. Once it was back on the road we sped off, but a police car followed us through Upwey before pulling us over for speeding.

“It caused us quite a delay and we only just managed to get to the church on time, and Marilyn was there before me.”

As she waited, Marilyn was forced to keep driving around the Town Bridge in Weymouth, with people lining the bridge to see if the bridegroom turned up.

She said: “I was getting quite nervous, and so were the guests, even Mike’s mother. In those days there was no mobile phones or anything, so he couldn’t tell me where he was.”

The incident was also reported by the Echo’s sister paper the Bridport News 50 years ago, pictured above.

After getting hitched, the couple lived in Weymouth and Bridport for a short time, before moving to Chideock where they have lived ever since.

They took over at the George Inn in Chideock. Mike played football for Chideock and both were keen skittlers.

Mr Tuck said: “We put our happiness down to honesty, caring, sharing and understanding with lots of love and laughter.”

To mark the anniversary, the couple’s sons and partners, Stephen, Amanda, Darren and Lisa, arranged for them to fly to Edinburgh for the weekend.