Brothers' life-changing trip to Norfolk
A family trip Norfolk may not seem world altering – but it certainly changed the lives of two brothers and two sisters.
Bill Hampton first made the trip with his younger sibling, John, as well as his mother, father, auntie and uncle.
But what seemed like a normal vacation would turn into 60 years of happy marriage, because during that trip Bill met his future wife, Dawn.
Not only that, John would also met the love of his life – who happened to Sarah, Dawn's sister.
They too have stayed together ever since and have been married for 54 years.
The only difference was Dawn moved to the Black Country with Bill, while John stayed in Norfolk with Sarah.
Both couples remain happily married – and Bill, 84, and Dawn, 81, who live in Frayne Avenue, Kingswinford, have now received a card from the Queen to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
"It was quite a story, really," said Bill. "Our auntie and uncle always used to go to Snettisham, in Norfolk, and then, in 1957, we all went too.
"We stayed at a hotel called the Queen Vic and it was there we met these two sisters.
"We all went to the fairground later that same day and we've been together ever since.
"My brother's been married for 54 years and we've been married for 60."
Bill and Dawn tied the knot at a church in Snettisham three years later, in 1960, before moving to Kingswinford.
He then worked as carpenter and joiner before moving into management, working for Cartwrights in Stechford, Birmingham, until retirement.
Dawn worked as a catering manager and the couple eventually had three children, Simon, Kevin and Sarah. They now have seven grandchildren.
"We've received a letter an photo from the Queen for our anniversary, which was very nice," said Bill.
"In retirement, I've enjoyed playing golf and I'm still a member of Staffordshire Golf Club.
"The whole family also used to play bowls at Priory House Conservative Club, in Dudley, before it closed down."
