Ilford couple who met in Sainsbury’s celebrate 60 years together

Leslie, 92, and Josephine Jiggins, 84, have lived in Ilford all their married life and have recently marked 60 years together.

After meeting at Sainsbury’s in Goodmayes where they both worked, they were quickly attracted to each other but were forced to keep their relationship a secret as it was not good practice to fraternise between staff members.

But this did not stop them and love blossomed into a long and very happy partnership.

Josephine said: “Les and I have had a truly happy and loving marriage. There have been highs and lows, but the one thing we have always had is each other.

“We are very lucky to have reached this anniversary as many people are not so fortunate. We are truly blessed.”

The couple were married at St Elizabeth’s, Dagenham followed by a reception at the groom’s parent’s house.

Leslie is from a large family of 12 brothers so their wedding day was a large affair for the time followed by a honeymoon in the Isle of Wight.

After the birth of their first son they lived above a Sainsbury’s store in Beehive Lane, Gants Hill but as the family grew they moved to Seymour Gardens, Ilford where they have lived happily for more than 53 years.

Leslie and Josephibe had four more children including one set of twins and they now have two grandchildren.

Their son Colin said: “It is very hard to express how lucky I am to have such loving, supportive, caring parents that are still alive, married and still in love.”

The family celebrated the anniversary with a special afternoon tea and the couple were later whisked off by limousine to the London Palladium to see the Wizard of Oz.

Colin said: “They were thrilled to bits to receive a card of congratulations from the Queen.

“They are a truly loving and special couple, parents, grandparents and friends to so many people and are well known in the local community. Everyone wants to send them best wishes and we look forward to celebrating many more special events.”