Coronavirus restrictions are certainly not going to put a damper on a well-known local couple as they celebrate a one-in-a-million marriage milestone tomorrow (Saturday).

Married at Narberth Register Office, Duncan and Audrey Hilling, of Saundersfoot were one of an estimated 350,000 couples to tie the knot in 1950, but are just one of a handful who will be celebrating their Platinum anniversary this year – statistically estimated to be one-in-a-million.

Duncan and Audrey, who are both 94, were born in Saundersfoot just three months apart and were told by their families that they were first introduced to each other as babes in arms.

As they grew up, Duncan obviously decided that Audrey was ‘The One’ and first proposed when they were just 14 years old.

‘My mum told him not to be so daft,’ explained their youngest daughter, Miranda Davies, of Tenby. ‘However, Dad was very persistent and fortunately she eventually succumbed to his way of thinking.’

Duncan and Audrey continued their courtship by post during the later stages of the Second World War when Duncan served overseas with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Far East.

On his return from active service in Japan in 1947, Duncan went to Kent to train as a horticulturist, and on his regular visits home, the couple made plans to elope.

Conspiring with friends, they secretly met at Narberth Register Office with Audrey, who at that time worked as a seamstress at TP Hughes wearing a ‘baby blue’ suit she had made for the occasion.

Following the ceremony, they caught a train to Kent where they lived for two years until returning to Pembrokeshire in 1952 when Duncan took up the post of Head Gardener at Picton Castle.

Although they loved their time at The Rhos, where they were a very active part of the community, work was to take the couple to Carmarthen, Colchester and Exeter with Duncan employed as a landscape gardener for various hospital and university trusts and Audrey as an occupational therapist.

The call of their home county was too strong however and they returned to their native Saundersfoot for good in 1979 when Duncan took up the role of Superintendent of Parks and Gardens with the former South Pembrokeshire District Council, a post he held until his retirement in 1991.

During their time at the Rhos Duncan and Audrey enjoyed organising concert parties. Audrey, with her gold LAMDA medal, specialised in recitations, monologues and dramatic performances while Duncan displayed his fine tenor singing voice.

They have always maintained their love of performing, featuring in many Saundersfoot Musical Youth and Footlights productions over the years, while Duncan is the senior member of Tenby Male Choir, singing alongside his grandson, Wesley.

Two of his proudest moments are when the two of them joined fellow choristers to perform at the Royal Albert Hall and the Principality Stadium last year.

With his vast horticultural knowledge, Duncan has been called upon to judge many community ‘In Bloom’ competitions over the years and is current president of Saundersfoot in Bloom.

Audrey also enjoyed her time as a regular volunteer at Tenby’s Tenovus Charity shop and was a longstanding member of Kilgetty WI.

Even though retirement meant they had more time to get involved with the local community, and enjoy time with their family, the couple also fulfilled their ambitions to travel the world, visiting such far flung places as the USA, China, South Africa and Australia and used to give regular talks locally on their global adventures.

Lifelong members of Moreton Methodist Chapel until its closure, they now regularly worship at Carew Wesleyan and Millin chapels.

As well as Miranda, the couple have a daughter, Katrina, who lives in Harrow and a son, Lyndon, who lives in Northampton. Sadly, their second daughter, Ceri, of Broadmoor, passed away 12 years ago.

In addition to Wesley, they have five other grandchildren - Matthew, Kate, Sam, Jack and Scarlett and five great-grandchildren, Lewis, Evelyn, Amber, Phoenix and Autumn.

Although Covid-19 restrictions have meant that the big celebration that had been planned has had to be put on hold, the family still plan to join in tomorrow’s Platinum celebrations via video conferencing, telephone and social distancing.

“Mum and dad had humble beginnings, mum helping her father with his local milk round and dad beginning his working life as a bellboy at the St Brides Hotel, but they have gone on to achieve so much,” said Miranda.

“Dad is still an old romantic and they have always been each other’s rock – now more so than ever. We’re all so very proud of them.”