A WALTHAMSTOW couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the weekend.

Helena and Jack Burgess, of Pembroke Road, celebrated 50 years by throwing a party in Great Bentley, near Clacton-on-Sea.

The couple met and fell in love while working together at Flexi Shoe Works, in Flempton Road, Leyton.

Their first date almost ended in disaster, as their daughter Linda Walker, of Byron Road, Leyton, describes.

She said: “They both went to the wrong cinema, one went to the Grenada, the other went to the Gomart, mum realised the mistake, and saw dad going across Hoe Street.

“But they had many successful dates after that.”

The couple got engaged on a bench in Knotts Green, Leyton and were married at All Saints Church, in Capworth Street.

They have four children and six grandchildren.

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