Bob and Josie Stepney have lived in Bevendean estate for 62 years

Bob and Josie Stepney got married on September 1, 1951, and have lived in the same estate in Bevendean for the last 62 years.

Bob grew up in Hanover Street in Brighton and describes himself as a “naughty boy”, while "posh girl" Josie grew up in Hallett Road.

They met at the Regent Ballroom back in 1949 and have been smitten ever since.

The Regent Ballroom.

“The girls chased after the boys in those days,” Bob chuckled.

The 87-year-old said: “The girls used to go for dances in the Regent Ballroom. The boys wouldn’t dance would they, so we would go on Sunday afternoons to each other’s houses and learn to dance so we could get in and meet the girls at the Regent, and that’s what we did.

“We paired off from there really.”

“I was 16, Josie was a little bit older than me, she was 17.”

On their wedding day.

After getting married, Bob spent some time as a hod carrier to support Josie and their son, Trevor.

He made three shillings and a farthing an hour carrying bricks.

Once he turned 18, Bob was called up for national service and was sent to Germany in 1952 and Korea in 1953.

He added: “I spent eight months in Germany, then I come home and I was transferred to Korea for a year in 1953.

“In two years of marriage we didn’t see much of each other.”

Josie said they only saw each other three times during this time.

Bob was demobbed from the army in 1954 and returned to Brighton to work.

Bob Stepney was in the army from 1952 to 1954.

He said: “I come home and got a job doing more building work. It’s where the money was in those days.”

Josie got a job serving school dinners at the same Bevendean school, which Trevor and his sister Tina attended.

The couple now have five grandchildren and one great grandchild, something they say they are very proud of.

How are they celebrating?

Tina will be hosting the family for a celebration tea party on the weekend.

Bob said: “Having the children and our grandchildren, we try to look after them in any way we can.

"They come to see their grandad and we’re always pleased to see them whenever they come.

However, it has been tough to see their great-grandchild during the pandemic.

“Our great-grandchild, we have only seen him once. He will be two, they live in London,” Bob added.

Bob said he is also going to take Josie, 88, out somewhere for their anniversary on Wednesday, although “we have run out of places to go!”

As for the secret to their long, happy marriage, Bob said: “I don’t know really. I can honestly say we have never argued, which is probably a good thing.

"We have got on so well after all these years.

"We look after each other.”