A CLACTON couple who met at a local dance have waltzed their way though 50 years of marriage.
Joan and Brian Baines, who have lived in Watson Road all their married life, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the weekend with a surprise event organised by their three children.
Dagenham-born Joan Ould and Brian met at a dance, at the Melrose Hotel on the seafront, in 1955.
They married at Pier Avenue Baptist Church on September 26, 1959.
Mr Baines, now 75, worked in the family greengrocery business of three generations. His late father Sydney had a shop in St Osyth Road and they also had a mobile greengrocery van.
Mrs Baines, 72, was a stay-at-home mum looking after her three children Paul, David and Helen and the couple now have five grandchildren.
Mr Baines still plays league table tennis for the Brotherhood team and also enjoys gardening.
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