A BLIND date at the cinema on a Friday evening 65 years ago has led to a very happy marriage for one Hull couple.
In true movie style, Ron and Irene Griffin, of St Thomas Grange, west Hull, met for their blind date at the Regal Cinema one Friday night in March 1945, and have been together ever since.
Irene said: "I worked with Ron's sister-in-law, and Ron came in the shop to ask her if there were any girls he could take out on a date.
"She suggested me, and our first date was to the cinema on a Friday night."
Ron and Irene married at Argyle Street Methodist Church on June 5, 1948. They celebrated with friends and family at a reception at Argyle House before a rainy honeymoon in Blackpool.
After serving in the navy in the Mediterranean, Ron worked for the British Transport Police for 33 years.
Irene left her job as a shop assistant after getting married, to look after the family home.
The couple have a daughter, Carol, and three grandchildren, Daniel, Rachael and Sarah.
They are also kept busy with their five great-grandchildren, Ella, William, Finlay, James and Lily, and another is on the way.
Ron, 89, and Irene, 85, are one of 2,000 couples in Britain who will celebrate the wedding anniversary known as "blue sapphire" this year.
After having a big party for their 60th wedding anniversary and receiving a message from the Queen, Ron and Irene decided to have a more low-key celebration. They will be joined by their family for a meal at The Mill in Skidby tomorrow.
When asked what the key to a happy marriage is, Irene said: "You've got to share problems and work together."
Ron said: "If we couldn't afford it, we went without.
"We have a lovely family who look after us and we are very lucky."
