A HEREFORDSHIRE couple raised £600 for St Michael’s Hospice and the County Air Ambulance when they celebrated their golden wedding .

Ray and Margaret Archer, from Kingstone, asked family and friends to give donations instead of presents at the party held at the Farmer’s Club in Widemarsh Street, Hereford.

“We didn’t want presents so asked for donations to charity instead. St Michael’s is local and the Air Ambulance does a great job,” said Mrs Archer.

Mr and Mrs Archer met at a dance in Leominster before marrying at St Michael’s and All Saint’s Church in Monkland in 1958.

They lived in Marlbrook until 1969 before moving to Bullinghope and then to their current address in Kingstone in 1987.

During that year, Ray started work as a groundsman at Hereford United after many years as a farmer. He retired from the job nine years later.

Margaret started work in a factory producing fruit juices and medical powders and liquids after doing seasonal land work.

The couple, who have four children and five grandchildren, are still active in their community.

Margaret is a member of the Women’s Institute and the parish council committee and Ray helps out in the village hall.

Mrs Archer added that working together and always discussing things had been the key to their marriage.