Childhood sweethearts Denis and Dinah Blackman are both from long established Westfield families and still live in the village they love. Dinah Blackman, aged 82, whose maiden name was Hartill, and Denis Blackman, aged 85, married on February 18 , 1956, at Westfield Church. Denis was born in New Cut at Westfield and Dinah at the Old School House in Westfield. The couple knew each other from their school lives and both went to school in the village . The couple now live at Churchfields in Westfield. They have three children, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Denis previously worked as a plasterer, while Dinah was a secretary at Eldridge builders. She then later went on to work at Westfield Primary School in the canteen as the hours worked around being able to look after her children. The couple were keen dancers and used to enjoy taking part in ballroom dancing. Bowls is another interest and both are still members of Westfield Bowls Club. Both Denis and Dinah are very family oriented and say that family life has been the real secret and cause of such a long and happy marriage. The couple plan to celebrate their big day, surrounded by their family, with a big party.” Their grandaughter Stacey Roberts said: “They love Westfield and both families go back decades in the village.” Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk 2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver 3 Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news. Be part of it.
