Childhood sweethearts Sally and Kevin, who first met as children at Cashes Green Primary School before moving on together to Archway Secondary, are celebrating their 41st wedding anniversary this week.
Although Sally Watkins admits she “hated him at school”, fate had other ideas. Their first date began with a phone call and a rendezvous in The Snug at The Old Crown, Paganhill. From that moment, Sally says she always knew Kevin was “the one… you just know.”
The couple married on the very same day that Prince Harry was born on September 15, 1984 — though Sally laughs that the royal baby “tried to steal our thunder!” Their wedding even made front page headlines, when the newlyweds left their reception not in a car, but on Kevin’s Honda CBX 1000 motorbike. Sally traded her tiara and veil for a crash helmet, in what became an iconic local photo.
Kevin and Sally leave their wedding reception in 1984
Life together wasn’t always easy: Kevin was setting up K.W. Electrical Ltd. while Sally worked long hours as a veterinary nurse. But, as they say, love carried them through.
Their marriage has been full of humour, travel, and healthy debates. Sally jokes: “I’m the better cook — he can only do beans on toast!”
Sally and Kevin have spent 41 years together
“He’s the better driver — taught by his father, a police detective.”
“We argue about everything and anything… and it’s very healthy!”
Of all the destinations they’ve travelled to, the Maldives remain their favourite: “pure bliss.” Looking ahead, they dream of marking their 50th anniversary with a fabulous holiday.
When asked what advice they’d give to newlyweds, Sally doesn’t hesitate:
“If the going gets tough, don’t just give up — that’s too easy!”