Well-known Caistor couple mark 50 years of marriage

Since Linda Oxley started working with the Mail, she has spoken to countless couples celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

This week, it is Linda who is celebrating, with her husband of 50 years, Bob.

The couple met when Bob was home on leave from the merchant navy in the autumn of 1964.

At the time, Linda was working as a dental nurse in Grimsby.

“Bob brought his sister along to the dentist,” said Linda. “The other dental nurse, Gloria, knew I didn’t have a boyfriend, so she booked Bob in for a check, but he didn’t need anything doing, so that was that.”

A few weeks later, Gloria and Linda went ten-pin bowling and after finishing the game, Linda turned round and who should be looking at her but Bob.

“He walked me home that night – and the rest, as they say, is history,” said Linda.

It wasn’t long before Bob had to rejoin his ship, but while he was away, he sent numerous letters to Linda, as well as orchids from Singapore.

The letters are still a treasured possession of Linda’s.

Less than six months after that first meeting, Bob popped the question and Linda said yes ... as long as he left the merchant navy.

The couple were married in St Aidan’s Church in Cleethorpes on July 9, 1966.

The reception was held at The Salamander, before the newlyweds headed off in their Hillman Minx for a honeymoon in Cornwall.

They set up home in Waltham and Linda got a nursing job at Grimsby Hospital, while Bob worked at Conoco Phillips.

Two years later, their daughter Liz was born, followed by Tim in 1969 and Matt in 1972.

They now have six grandchildren, too, and it is with the family they will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

“We have been very lucky and all our children are settled,” said Linda.

“I won’t lie, we have had our ups and downs, but we are still together, because we work at things together.”