Couple’s golden advice: ‘Never go to bed on an argument’

Philip and Stella Day were married at Todmorden’s Unitarian Church on August 29, 1964.

Young newly weds, Philip, 21, and Stella, 17, moved into their new family Hebden Bridge home before their first son was born in December, 1964.

Half a century later, they have three sons, Andrew, Martin and Graham, who all reside in Halifax, and have four grandchildren Sian, Emily, Gregory and Benjamin.

During married life, the couple lived in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and in Halifax.

Philip worked as a general labourer and when they met, Stella worked for Economic Stores, in Halifax.

For two years, from 1988-1990, the couple were newsagents at Bellas, Larch Street, Nelson.

The couple are the third-in-line to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary after Philip’s grandparents, William and Edith Wainwright, and his parents, Arnold and Elsie Day.

Mr Day said the secret to a successful marriage is to never to go to bed on an argument.

Ten-years-ago, the couple moved to Cleveland, in the North East of England, where the landscape is more flat, for an easier life than the ‘hike of Halifax’ - to help Philip who suffers from respiratory problems.

The couple celebrated their anniversary with a railway journey at Haworth and then dined with their sons Martin and Graham, his wife Francesca and their eight-year-old son Benjamin.

Mr and Mrs Day said they had the most lovely day with the people that matter the most to them.

“You can’t put a price on family, “ said Mr Day, now aged 71.

“We sat there the other night and said ‘where have the past 50 years gone’ - we’ve enjoyed every minute.”

The couple still enjoy holidaying in the UK with their Terrier pet Bella and will holiday in Exmouth, East Devon, soon.