Diamond couple’s guide to perfect marriage

Diamond couple’s guide to perfect marriage

14 March 2013 - by BY JOANNE FLEMING

LOVE first — and a good argument now and then. That’s the secret to a long, happy marriage according to two Killyleagh experts celebrating 60 years together.

It’s a milestone fewer are making, but one which Bobby and Lillian Cromie marked this weekend in a party with family and friends.

Bobby (85) and Lillian (81) were married on March 11, 1953, at 2nd Killyleagh Presbyterian Church, and have lived most of their lives in the town.

They remember it as a “working town”, very different from today, and the place they met and fell in love.

“I used to come into the pictures in Killyleagh, there was a crowd of us on Saturday night,” recalled Bobby.

“You got to know some girls. This young lady here, I never knew it, but she must have had her eye on me.”

Bobby began his working life on a farm and went on to work as a lorry driver for Irish Feeds. Lillian worked in the Mill in Killyleagh.

“It was not really hard work,” she said. “It was good craic. After four years we had our son Ronald, and after nine years we had our daughter Charlene.”

Bobby shared an interest in football with his son and joined the Killinchy Flute Band when he was 10 years-old.

“I do not play anymore but I am still involved in it,” said Bobby.

“The year we were married it was renamed the Silver band. I was never a great musician but my daughter plays the organ for First Killyleagh.”

“I was busy raising the children,” said Lillian. “I’ve always liked knitting and sewing, though.

“Like everybody else we have had our ups and downs.”

When asked why he thinks they have made such a good match, Bobby said: “It is very hard to say. It has to be love first and a good argument or row or two between times. That is how it goes.”

Lillian added: “Life does not always run smoothly, but we have been blessed with good health.”

Recalling the happy day itself 60 years ago, Lillian remembers worrying about the weather for her March wedding.

“I was wearing a turquoise velvet dress,” she said. “It was coronation year and I remember all the talk about whether they should be spending all that money.

“We had the reception at my mother’s big house at Grove Hill. It ended up being such a beautiful day with most of the guests all outside.”

And recalling their subsequent happy honeymoon in Dublin, Bobby added: “Dublin was some distance in those times. We thought we were brave.”

Now proud grandparents, and more recently great-grandparents, Bobby and Lillian say they are “blessed” by their family “who are only ever a phone call away”.

“Whatever we need they are straight over,” said Bobby.

Clearly still enjoying life in Killyleagh, the couple remember fondly, however, a time when the town was buzzing with industry.

“There’s no mill now,” said Lillian. “There were two or three factories, but there are none of them now.”

Bobby added: “There are a big lot of new buildings now. High Street is all new. It was a working town then. There was lots of employment. If you were out of a job you could start work elsewhere tomorrow. It was the same everywhere.

“It is a nice community here, though. The people are friendly.”