A COUPLE who met in the Old Market Square will celebrate their 65th wedding with five generations of their family.
Horace and Gladys Hodgson were each with friends when they found themselves stood next to each other in "Slab Square" in 1946.
Gladys, who was then Miss Bills, was on a break from her job at the Naafi Club, in Bridlesmith Gate, when the chance meeting happened.
Mr Hodgson offered to walk her back to work and she invited him to come down to the club another night.
Two years later – on July 10, 1948 – the couple married at Shakespeare Street register office.
They moved into a house in Albert Street, before moving to the Highbury Vale area, where they have remained for 52 years.
Mr Hodgson, 87, who worked in hosiery at three different factories in the city until he retired in 1991, said: "When I met her I thought she was very nice and I reckon she must have thought the same of me. We muddled through our first years together, brought the children up to behave themselves and they've all gone on to have jobs so I think we've done all right.
"We have our arguments but the key is to get over them."
During their 65 years together, Mr and Mrs Hodgson have had five children, now aged 64, 63, 62, 61 and 56.
They also have six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
All family members, including their son, who lives in Australia, and daughter who lives in Turkey, will be at the Nuthall Hotel on July 13 to celebrate Mr and Mrs Hodgson's milestone.
Mrs Hodgson, 83, said: "It means so much to us that the family will be there.
"I'd say the secret to our success is that we always stick together no matter what."
The couple are also popular within their community.
Mr Hodgson has held the post of secretary at Oakleigh Lodge Social Club, in Highbury Road, Bulwell, since 1966 and Mrs Hodgson helps him organise trips, events and charity fundraisers.
