The secret to wedded bliss

Jackie and Margaret Heywood, who were married in Ardstraw Presbyterian Church on June 3, 1960 by Rev Frank Hay, were surprised and delighted when they turned up for their lunch at Milliken Memorial Hall in Ballymagorry to find an anniversary cake a gift and a warm welcome awaiting them.

Known for his sense of humour, when asked what the secret to their long marriage was, Jackie quipped: "It's a long story".

Margaret was more forthcoming, admitting that they had been neighbours as children.

"I suppose I was seven anyway," said Jackie, adding: "We went to the same school, the same Sunday School and the same church, so it was inevitable. We fell in love at school."

Margaret added: "We got egaged at about 18. He as my first and only boyfriend. the day we got married the sun was beaming."

The couple set up home in Greenlaw for the first year of their marriage before moveing to Ballymagorry, and they have lived there for the past 49 years.

"Hopefully we will be there for another 49 years," joked Jackie.

Jackie is well-known across the north west for his cricketing associations and on Saturday night a party as held for the couple at Fox Lodge Cricket Club, which, it could be argued, could be considered Jackie's second home so deeply passionate is he about the sport. The other great love in his life, other than his wife, is the couple's family, and they are deeply caring and devoted to their six now grown-up children, Adrian, Alastair, Wesley, Mark, Garvan and Johnathan, their eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

"I don't know what our secret is. Hard work I suppose, you just keep going," said Margaret, while Jackie thoughtfully added: "You have to agree to disagree and sort our your difficulties."

Margaret reflects for a moment adding: "He's never in. It's the cricket. Every night of the week, and if it's not the cricket it's the boys."