A COUPLE from Romsey recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.

On January 5, 91-year-old John and 90-year-old Joan Salvi decided to celebrate their platinum anniversary quietly together.

The couple got married on January 5 1953, when John was 21 and Joan was 20. The ceremony was held in St Anne’s Chapel, Romsey Abbey.

John and Joan first met whilst they were out dancing at a hall in Mill Lane, Romsey.
Emma Holloway, their granddaughter, said: “It was love at first sight, she saw him across the room and knew he was the one for her.”

Joan was born in Romsey and John moved there at the age of five. Once married, the pair decided to stay in Romsey and settle down together on Palmerston Street. They brought up their two children there, Karl and Anita. Karl died in 2014.

They have four grandchildren: 44-year-old Emma, 42-year-old Robert, 34-year-old Karla and 33-year-old James. They also have nine great-grandchildren, who Emma said: “Have all been close to them throughout their lives.”

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They are soon to be great-great-grandparents, as they are awaiting the arrival of their first great-great-grandson who is due in April.

John worked with Southern Water and was also a retained firefighter for Romsey Fire Station. Joan worked at WH Smith as a shopkeeper, and both retired at the age of 55.
In their spare time, the two enjoy gardening and going dancing together. They also liked to socialise with everyone at the local fire service where John worked, as Emma said: “It was like a big family to them.”

When speaking about some of the memories she has of her grandparents, Emma said: “We used to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with them, it was a whole family event which was always nice.

“I remember playing around in their garden with the sprinklers and also doing some puzzles with my Grandad, he loves puzzles."

Lucie Holloway, one of their great-grandchildren, said: “I remember being able to play bowls with Grandad in the garden, that was fun.”

Talking about her thoughts on their long marriage, Emma said: “I think it’s amazing that they have been married for so long. They have been through their challenges, but they keep talking which helps keep them together. They just love each other so much.”