Saltash couple, Dorethea and Bert Speare, began the new century by celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on January 2 in the church where they married - St Nicholas and St Faith church, Saltash - by attending a carol service followed by a party in the church rooms afterwards.

The couple, both born in Saltash, still attend services each Sunday morning. Hubert Speare (or Bert as he is better known), is 92, and his wife, Dorethea is 88. They have one son Kenneth, two grandsons Simon and Adam and three great grandchildren, Jemma, Jordan and Gorran, aged 15 months.

Bert was a pupil at St Stephen's School, Saltash leaving at 14 to become a gardener, but later entering Devonport Dockyard as a labourer. He then joined the Royal Navy, spending two-and-a-half years in China. He bought his discharge and returned to the Dockyard and worked in the dredging department. He passed his Mates, Masters and Higher Masters exams and was master of a dredger for some years, travelling to Malta, Gibraltar and Scotland and other parts of the UK. He retired at the age of 64 and for three years was a rent collector for Caradon council.

He was a former member of Saltash Operatic and Dramatic Society and a past master of the Eliot Masonic Lodge, and former secretary of the League of Friends of the old St. Anne's Home at Saltash. A former member of Saltash Bowling Club, and Saltash Cancer Research Campaign he was Citizen of the Year in 1984.

Dot was a pupil at Saltash Girls School, North Road, Saltash, leaving at 14 to work at a local chemist as a shop assistant. She later joined chemist Underhill and Sons of Saltash, working there for six years until her marriage. Dot has also been very active in the community as a former vice president of Saltash Ladies Bowling club, former chairman of Saltash Townswomen's Guild, former founder member and former chairman of the Saltash Old Friends' club (no longer in existence), and a blood donor - often a direct donor - for 25 years. Both are members of Saltash OCS and Saltash Heritage, and have been very active in the church where they were married - Dot as a member of the Mother's Union for over 50 years and Bert being Church Warden emeritus.

Ken and his wife Bronwen prepared a buffet with a cake for a party after the carol service, for the members of the church congregation and friends. Bert and Dot now reside at Rowan House Residential Home, Lower Port View, Saltash.