A COUPLE whose wedding picture featured in the Leigh Journal back in 1960 are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary by once again being featured in their local paper.

Eddie and Alma Carney, from Leigh, tied the knot at Twelve Apostles RC Church on June 25, 1960 after meeting a few years earlier at a rugby union club dance at St Josephs. 

The grandparents-of-four only realised their wedding was featured in the paper when on their honeymoon in the Isle of Man.
Eddie, now 81, said: “It was strange really, because someone came up and asked if we’d just got married – and we said we had.

“It’s because back then you could buy the Leigh Journal over there and they had seen it in the paper.”

Alma, also 81, said: “It will be nice to be in the Journal again, but to actually know about it this time because with our wedding we didn’t know that was going to happen.

“I’ve still got the clipping of the original for our wedding. So it’s nice.

“We’ve a lovely life together really.

“We have two lovely daughters and had good family and friendships as well as getting on. So we’ve had a happy life and lived in the same house for 60 years too.

Eddie added: “Plus I do as I’m told.
“We get on and talk things through, so that’s why we’ve lasted really I think.”

The only topic of debate, however, is how they came to be together in the first place.

Eddie explains: “The thing is we were at a dance and it was ladies’ choice and she asked me. But she always says I asked her, which I can’t remember.

“After all this time we still debate who asked who, but I’m sticking to my story, she definitely asked me.”

The pair were looking forward to having a big celebration for their special anniversary but due to the coronavirus pandemic, they are now going to visit one of their daughters in her back garden.

If you or your loved ones have a big anniversary or celebration coming up, please let us know by emailing your story – with contact details to – newsdesk@leighjournal.co.uk