A COUPLE who became engaged on a bus in Dorchester are today enjoying their golden wedding anniversary.

Olwen and Peter Cheney, who will be celebrating 50 years of marriage with their friends and family tonight said the secret to a happy marriage was learning to give and take.

The couple, who live at Sandringham Court, said deciding to get married was an easy decision after it was ‘love at first sight’ when Peter formally introduced himself at a dance in Charminster in 1958.

A year later the pair, who have two daughters and five grandchildren, took a trip into Dorchester town centre and bought an engagement ring from a jewellery shop before getting engaged on the bus journey home.

The lovebirds were married in Stratton in 1960.

Olwen said she knew of Peter back when she was a schoolgirl because he was a bus prefect but it wasn’t until she was 17 and Peter was 20 that they had their first dance and started courting.

Olwen, 69, who grew up in Stratton, said: “It was love at first sight. I always thought he was very handsome.

“There’s not just one thing about him I love. Love is so many things.

“There are little things he does and it makes me think ‘oh I do love you’. He has been a good husband.”

She added: “We never liked travelling much because we like our home so much. We’ve never had a lot of money but we just look forward to having good health and good strength.

“We’re looking forward to many more happy years.

“We’re looking forward to our 60th wedding anniversary.”

Peter, 72, who grew up in Sydling St Nicholas, added: “We just go together.

“A lot of people have their own separate lives nowadays but we think ‘whatever is mine is yours’.

“We have the same interests and we have always been very happy.”

He added: “I think reaching your 50th anniversary is quite an achievement today.”

Mr and Mrs Cheney will be celebrating their special day with a party at Dorchester Town Football Club.