DESPITE falling in a stream on the first date with her husband-to-be, Barbara Low always knew he was the one.

Sixty years on, well-known Benson couple, Don and Barbara Passey, marked their diamond wedding with a dinner and dance for 100 family and friends at the Shillingford Bridge Hotel and are soon to embark on a two-week cruise around the Mediterranean.

Mr Passey, 80, was born in the village and is chairman of the Benson and District British Legion and has been a member for more than 40 years.

Mrs Passey, 79, recalled their first date at the village bonfire night.

She said: “On our first date, we had a big bonfire in Benson which we went along to and someone set off a firework. It made me jump and I fell in the brook.

“Don helped me out and took me to the fire to dry off. We all laughed and we still do now.”

The couple married at St Leonard’s Church, Wallingford, and have three children, David, Roy and Carol, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mrs Passey added: “We’ve had our ups and downs and tiffs like everyone else, but we’ve always been best friends.”