A SILSDEN couple who have explored the globe on countless adventure holidays are celebrating their diamond wedding today.

Margaret and Derek Procter have spent months at a time in foreign climes during their 60 years of marriage.

The pair, aged 81 and 83 respectively, expanded their horizons after many years caravanning while bringing up their four children Janette, Kathryn, Michael and Jeffrey.

Margaret and Derek met by chance, while Margaret and her friend stood at the side of the road in Silsden in the hope of hitchhiking to the Yorkshire Dales.

Margaret said: “We were going to Ingleton with some of the girls from work. They put the girls in one room and the boys in another, and there was a dance on Saturday nights.”

Ingleton man Derek was driving home with his friend – who knew Margaret’s friend – and the pair gave the young women a lift.

But the jamboree in Ingleton was no draw for Margaret after she met Derek, and since then the pair have only had eyes for each other.

By then Derek had already done his National Service, in the early 1950s, serving with the Army in Kenya and at the Suez Canal.

Meanwhile, Margaret was working at the Driver Brothers mill in Silsden.

When the pair married Derek moved to Silsden, the pair living in on the Aireville estate for the next 53 years.

Derek took various jobs before settling on Cross Hills-based Dales Pharmaceuticals where he rose to become purchasing manager. While bringing up the children. Margaret worked as a home care in local villages.

The married couple were active for many years in the Caravanning Club, Derek serving as a regional and national official in various capacities.

The pair also travelled the world, including Australia, New Zealand, South America, Russia, India, China, 30 states of the USA, and only a few weeks ago, France.

They have raised thousands of pounds for charities by giving slideshows to many local groups showing scenes from their travels. They have also completed many long-distance walks.

Margaret said: “We’ve had a lovely life really – a wonderful time. We are happy because we argue a lot – I say what I think and he says what he thinks.”