A Flamstead couple will mark their 70th wedding anniversary this weekend, having married just three months after meeting.

Joan and Harry Birtley tied the knot on August 18, 1954 in Cheshire, having met that April in Germany at the British Forces school they both taught at.

According to daughter Kate it was "love at first sight" for the couple, who she fondly describes as "pillars of our community".

Despite this, when Harry first proposed to Joan she said 'no', only to be won over by the end of the taxi journey!

Harry and Joan on their wedding day in 1954.Harry and Joan on their wedding day in 1954. (Image: Kate French)

Kate said that them getting married so quickly was quite remarkable because her mum "is not an impulsive person to say the least".

Harry, 91, is from Sunderland, while Joan, 95, hails from Manchester, but they were brought to Flamstead by a chance encounter after their wedding.

The pair met a couple looking to rent out a cottage in the village.

They obliged and have lived in the area ever since.

Kate added that "once they arrived they didn't really want to leave".

Harry and Joan on their 69th wedding anniversary last year.Harry and Joan on their 69th wedding anniversary last year. (Image: Kate French)

Joan was a teacher, working at Townsend Church of England School in High Oaks, St Albans before deciding to work closer to home.

She's known to a generation as Mrs Birtley, having served Flamstead Village School for 25 years.

Harry and Joan have lived in Flamstead for their entire married lives.Harry and Joan have lived in Flamstead for their entire married lives. (Image: Kate French)

Harry spent many years as the UK managing director of Hallmark cards, as well as serving as President of Flamstead Cricket Club, a position he holds to this day.

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Kate describes her mum as "a formidable character with an incredible intellect".

She likes to joke that as long as she is alive "nobody will need Google", noting that Joan can quote every line from Shakespeare from memory.

On her dad, she said: "He is an opiniated force of nature who could talk for England."

On August 14, Harry and Joan received a card from the King to commemorate the anniversary, having previously received card from the late Queen for past anniversaries.

Due to their age and frailty there will not be a huge celebration on the big day, but Kate hopes their story being published will serve as a fitting way to mark the milestone.

She said: "There have been many articles in this newspaper about my dad throughout the years so it is lovely having the occasion marked in this way because they both warrant it."