A Rockfield couple are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary this month, marking 60 years of marriage.

Brian and Ruth Edwards married on 15 June 1966 at Llansoy Church, they met while both studying at Usk Agricultural College, where they also made many lifelong friendships.

A Rockfield native, Mr Edwards was captain of both the men’s rugby and cricket teams during his time at the college and went on to be presented with an award for being the highest grading agricultural student from within Monmouthshire.

Born Ruth Parry, and daughter to Albert and Gwyneth Parry of Pencarreg Farm, Llansoy, Mrs Edwards was captain of the netball team at Usk College where she studied rural domestic economy.

The couple celebrated their marriage with a reception at The Star, Llansoy and honeymooned in Barnstaple, Somerset.

Once married, the couple began their farming careers at Whitehall Farm, Rockfield establishing a herd of pedigree Holstein cows which the family continues to milk today in a recently installed robotic set-up. Here, they raised four sons and a daughter and now also have 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

On leaving college, Mrs Edwards became a dental nurse for Harries and Palmer in Monmouth. From there, she worked as a cook for Lt. Col. Harding Rolls and then at Monmouth General Hospital and latterly Nimbus Records.

Both well-known faces in the community, Mrs Edwards served as a Monmouthshire County Councillor for 18 years for the Llantilio Crossenny ward. A past member of Llansoy and Llangwm Young Farmers Club, she was the first female chairman of Monmouthshire NFU and a past president of Monmouthshire NFU Ladies, of which she remains an active member. Over the years, she has also won many dressing making and baking awards at different events.

Mr Edwards is the current president of Llangattock Vibon Avel Ploughing Society and regularly judges the society’s hedging competitions. Over the years, he has been a keen skittles and crib player in and around Monmouth and is also a passionate gardener. Mr Edwards is a past member of Monmouth YFC and was also a long-standing member of the local community council.

In later years, the couple have enjoyed many holidays both in the UK and abroad with friends and will celebrate their anniversary with a short break away.