A couple who emigrated to Canada more than 45 years ago have returned to Norwich to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with two of their oldest friends.
Beryl and Gunther Krich, who both grew up in Norfolk, met as teenagers in the 1950s while working for the Norvic Shoe Company on St George's Plain in Norwich.
It was at the same factory that the couple, who lived on the Heartsease estate, formed a friendship that has proved to be just as strong as their marriage.
Despite moving to Canada in 1970, Mr and Mrs Krich have remained in contact with their former colleagues Maureen and Barry Ward, who live on Drayton Road.
And on July 27 they returned to Norwich to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their friends at the Oaklands Hotel on Yarmouth Road.
In honour of the occasion, Mr and Mrs Ward raised a Canadian flag - made by Mrs Krich - outside their home for the duration of their stay.
Mrs Krich, 78, who worked as a seamstress at the factory, said she married her husband at St Catherine's Church in Mile Cross in 1957.
But before they could do so, German-born Mr Krich, who is 82, had to serve two years in the British Army in order to be nationalised.
After having three children, the couple decided to move to Calgary in Canada as work started to dry up in Norwich.
However, around a year before they left, disaster almost struck while Mr Krich was out cockle picking with his two sons at Wells-next-the-Sea.
After becoming cut off by the tide, he came close to drowning, but was rescued by a fisherman who spotted them.
The couple moved to Canada in 1970, where Mrs Krich worked as a seamstress making cowboy shirts and her husband became a welder.
They now have eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Speaking about the secret to a healthy marriage, Mrs Krich said: 'Never go to bed angry and always say good night with a kiss.'
Mr Krich meanwhile, said the secret was to say: 'Yes dear'.
Also attending their anniversary meal last month was the best man at their wedding, who is now 85.
Are you celebrating a milestone anniversary? Email luke.powell@archant.co.uk
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