IT’S proving a golden year in more ways than one for Dudley’s Mayor.

Councillor Dave Tyler, the borough’s first citizen, has celebrated 50 years of marriage to his wife Barbara - the Mayoress.

The couple, who were childhood sweethearts, officially notched up five decades of marriage on Friday - celebrating with a family meal after attending the Black Country Business luncheon at Himley Hall.

Then on Saturday - the golden pair cemented the celebrations by renewing their vows at St Mary’s Church in Kingswinford where they originally tied the knot half a century ago, before attending a memorial concert, organised by Gig Caritas, for the Mayoral charities.

Dudley News:

“It was non-stop,” said Cllr Tyler who first met Barbara when he was just 11.

The pair eventually got engaged in 1966 and they wed on March 23, 1968.

Cllr Tyler was training to be a police officer at the time and he went on to serve for 30 years.

Barbara worked as a hairdresser in Kingswinford prior to becoming a mum to the couple’s only son David.

“She was a really good hairdresser,” said Cllr Tyler, aged 71, who added that he still sees the “beautiful young lady” he walked down the aisle with when he looks at his wife.

Dudley News:

The Labour councillor for Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, who says listening to one another is one his top tips for a long and successful marriage, has visited more than 100 borough businesses to date during his year in office - with the Mayoress at his side; and the couple plan to fit as many more as they can in before hanging up the civic chains.