THEY met as the Wall Street Crash devastated the global economy and television transmission was still in its infancy, writes Thomas Metcalf.

But 84 years on – and 13 great grandchildren later – Ron and Sybil Belcher are still “sticking together”.

The couple, who celebrate their 78th wedding anniversary today, are believed to be Oxfordshire’s longest married couple.

And the key to their lasting marriage? Sticking together and seeing each other’s view.

It was the late 1920s when 17-year-old Ron – who is now 100– asked the then Sybil Thomas if he could walk her home.

The relationship blossomed and they went on to wed on Easter Monday in 1935 at St John’s Church, New Hinksey, the same place where Ron was christened and confirmed.

But despite the incredible length of their marriage, the couple from The Avenue, Kennington, are not planning any big celebrations.

Mrs Belcher, 99, said they had a big party last May to celebrate her husband’s 100th birthday.

She said: “We’re not going to do much this time as it’s a Monday and our family wouldn’t be able to make it.”

They have two sons, Anthony and Peter – a third, Michael, died last year – seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Sybil, who was born in Banbury but moved to Oxford as a baby, met her future husband when she was 16. At the time, she was working in domestic service in north Oxford.

Ron was born in Sunningwell Road, South Oxford, and left school at 15 to work for Greening & Co cabinet makers in Cowley, which he said made “the finest furniture in the world”.

Mrs Belcher said: “He belonged to a group of boys and we were a group of girls. We just used to follow each other around.

“He said one Sunday ‘Can I see you home?’ He had to tell his mother though!”

They married around six years later and lived in Ron’s family home in Oatlands Road, West Oxford, before moving to their own place in Cowley.

The couple enjoyed going to the theatre, cycling and playing tennis in South Hinksey.

They also danced at the town hall for many years, even into their 80s.

Ron was a member of the Territorial Army and was called up shortly before the Second World War started.

He spent the duration of the war with the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars, serving in Northern Ireland, France and Germany before returning to Oxford.

After the war they moved from Cowley to Regent Street, East Oxford, then to Iffley Road, before finally ending up in Kennington, where they have spent the past 42 years.

Ron, a lifelong Oxford City fan, eventually left his job at Greenings to join the maintenance staff at Trinity College, where he spent 17 years.

He continued to repair furniture for people in his spare time.

Sybil, who gave up her job when she married, did voluntary work for many years and was also a member of the townswomen’s guild.

When asked what the secret of a happy marriage was, she said: “Sticking together and seeing each other’s point of view”.