Holiday trip led to wedded bliss

Keen choir singer May Wheeler, aged 89 and husband Ben, aged 97, who he says was "one of the best footballers in Netherton" will reach their platinum anniversary milestone tomorrow.

But it was his lovely hair which first caught May's eye when the couple met by chance while camping in Bewdley.

"My dad said Ben wasn't allowed in to see me to begin with but eventually he let him in," Mrs Wheeler said.

"We'd both gone down there with groups of friends - but when I saw him I thought he had lovely hair."

May was born in Chapel Street, Coseley, and was raised alongside her three brothers and eight sisters by her parents Edward and Eliza Short - and went to Christ Church School, in Church Road, Coseley.

Ben was brought up by his parents William and Eliza in Netherton and went to the town's Northfield Road School.

The couple were married on a sunny day on April 10, 1939, an Easter Monday, at Christ Church, in Coseley.

"We've always been an active couple getting out there and doing lots of different things," Mrs Wheeler said.

"Ben played lots of sport and I became a part of the Coseley singers choir at Darkhouse Baptist Church."

The proud parents of daughter Joan and son Peter now head a family of six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

"We can't believe we're great great grandparents - its absolutely wonderful to have our family around," Mrs Wheeler said.

"That's the secret to happy life really – and Ben's drop of whisky in a cup of tea every day." During the war, Ben remained at home as his job at the Thompsons metalworks factory, Dudley – making turntables for tanks – was important for the war effort.

His football wizardry was in demand from factory teams around the Black Country - playing for six separate clubs during his heyday.

"I was an outside right and I played for lots of factory teams and even for Bromley United in the Birmingham League," Mr Wheeler said. Mrs Wheeler says some of the happiest days the family had were at their holiday destination for more than 40 years – Barmouth, in Wales.

Mr Wheeler now lives in Nethercrest Care Home, Brewster Street, Netherton, after suffering recent series of health problems but May still lovingly maintains his garden at their home in Netherton.