So I perceive our fifty years together were full of living, loving, quarrelling, making up, lots of laughter, our fair share of sorrow, illnesses, disappointments, bad luck, anger with each other; and our children: squabbles over the children, pride with their achievements; and, most of all, we never failed to be proud of each other and to recognise and praise each other's achievements.

Peter was a very clever man and did not suffer fools calmly, but he always was quick to congratulate others on their achievements. He always encouraged me in my craft work. I miss him dreadfully, as he always made a point of enjoying and sharing with me any of my creations.

Fifty years is a long time to be wed to one man and, although other attractions entered our lives, we always stayed together. Our wedding vows were made for life - we really belonged to each other. The years seemed to slip away: 20 years, 25 years, 35 years, 40 years. Then the big Five-oh! And a big celebration. It was a really wonderful day. In retrospect I know I enjoyed it much much more than my wedding day. There were no undercurrents or bad feelings that are so often present at a wedding. I didn't have to do any of the planning as my children made all the arrangements, whereas I made all the arrangements for our wedding, and suffered much anxiety and worry both before and after the wedding.

We had great respect for each other. We were both very volatile people, and we had some really aggressive rows, but we were never too proud to admit when either of us was in the wrong and behaving very badly. Sorry is perhaps the most important word to use in any marriage. Understanding and forgiveness are also a very necessary ingredient. But I feel a sense of great achievement when I think, fifty years wed to one man. I thank God for giving us the stickability that enabled us both to survive.

I have lived a long while, hopefully I still have some time left. My only sentiment, as Tiny Tim said, "God bless us all".