'Cancer won't spoil our big day'

From the archive, first published Friday 6th Apr 2007.

A couple who are both battling cancer celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Frank and Joyce Long, who were married at Bolton Church, Bolton Road, on April 7, 1947, are determined for their illnesses not to overshadow 60 years of marriage.

The couple were both pupils at Hutton School in Eccleshill, but Cupid did not strike until some years later.

The pair first spotted each other as Joyce stood at a bus stop opposite Frank at Bolton Junction - though the path of true love never did run smooth.

"I was 16 or 17," said Joyce, 81. "Frank worked for the Transport Department and there was a depot there.

"He was sat on a hand cart waiting for a bus and I was on the opposite side of the road waiting for a trolley to take me to Bradford to work.

"I was stood there thinking, I wonder who I will marry.' Frank was there and looking a bit scruffy and I thought Not him'."

The couple's paths crossed again at the same spot some years later when Frank was on leave from the Royal Air Force.

"I was on a trolley bus and Joyce was getting on at Bolton Junction," said Frank, 82.

"By the time we got to Bradford Joyce asked if she could write to me and she never let go from that moment."

The couple, who live in Thornmead Road, Baildon, were eventually wed and have a 58-year-old daughter Susan, two granddaughters and five great grandchildren.

They were dealt a blow last July when Frank was diagnosed with stomach cancer and then in December cancer was found in Joyce's throat.

Mr Long, who served as a flight mechanic engineer until 1947 and prepared planes for D Day, said: "For the past year I have just kept saying Keep me until our 60th wedding anniversary'.

"We share everything. My wife is marvellous.

"She means everything to me. I think it was love at first sight.

"We have had a good life together and we have a good family who look after us."

The couple plan to celebrate their anniversary at a lunch with 21 guests.

"I feel pretty normal," said Joyce.

"We both just look after each other. If I am a bit off, Frank takes over and in between we just help each other. I think we have done that throughout our life.

"I have had no regrets. It's been a happy life.

"I don't believe anyone who says they go through life and never have any disagreements because you cannot agree on everything but if we have disagreed that's been it. There's been no animosity and no rows or sulking. We never go to bed on an argument."

Frank worked as a trolley bus driver and was the chairman of Bradford Trolley Bus Association for seven years.

Since retiring the couple have both volunteered for the Bradford Talking Telegraph.

"Frank is a kind person," said Joyce, who worked at Thorpe Edge Junior School as a secretary for ten years.

"He is always there for anybody who needs any help. He is nice natured and will go out of his way to help people and he is not bad looking! It has been wonderful. I hope we can carry on as long as we can."