Thursday will be a diamond day for a March couple as they celebrate 60 years of wedded bliss.
Marlene and Chris Holt, who have lived in the town for over 37 years after settling here for Chris' job as an RSPCS inspector, were married in Devon, but spent much of their married life moving around the country.
Chris worked as an inspector with the animal charity and was stationed in Slough, Upminster, Dartford, Redhill, North Yorkshire and Wales.
Marlene would answer calls from the public in the early days of their marriage, as that was how the people reported concerns about an animal - they would call the inspector's private home number.
It was not unusual for her to take 150 calls over a weekend.
The couple have two children, Stewart, who lives in Nottinghamshire, and their daughter, Chrystal, who lives in March, and has one daughter, Rose.
Chris has always enjoyed adventure, and his hobbies have reflected that as they include walking, which led him to trekking in the Himalayas in his younger days.
But while Chris enjoys anything outdoors, he loves gardening, Marlene is more of a homebody and enjoys knitting, reading, handicrafts, and genealogy - she is enjoying tracing the family tree.
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They both have a love of rugby and have been season ticket holders at Bedford Blues Rugby Club for many years.
However, when it comes to the national sport, Marlene is staunchly in favour of England, while Chris backs Wales.
The couple are planning to celebrate quietly as Chris is still recovering after suffering a heart attack last November, which saw him have surgery.
So what is the secret of a long marriage?
"Never be afraid to have an argument. I never believe anyone who says they don't argue, but we have no winners in our house," said Marlene.
"If Chris sees he's losing, he will change the subject, and if I'm losing, then I walk away - but I have to point out that my maiden name was 'Wright'," she added, with a laugh.
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