JUST keep going… that’s the secret of a long and successful marriage according to Christchurch couple Peter and Eunice Crabb, for whom wedded bliss has lasted 67 years – and counting!

“I wouldn’t believe anyone who says they’ve never had a cross word, but we just keep on going,” said Eunice.

The happy couple still live in the same Hurn home they returned to after their honeymoon in 1950 as reported in the Christchurch Times where Eunice worked in the newspaper’s front office on Bridge Street.

Keen sequence dancers, they also enjoy playing golf together and take turns behind the wheel of their distinctive Nissan Figaro car.

“I’ve danced since I was 13, Peter started later on,” says Eunice. “My mother used to make food for Christchurch Lads Club and I’d go down there when they had dance classes.

“We go dancing three times a week – at Priory Hall on Fridays until it closes, which will be a great shame, also at Kinson and Three Legged Cross. We do modern sequence – that’s everyone going round the floor the same way in sequence. Well, in theory anyway.”

Peter, 90 on March 31, worked with his father in the family livestock haulage business and later as a driver, while Eunice, 87, worked for the Civil Aviation Authority at Hurn with Kit Townend, one of the driving forces behind the resurrection of the Regent in 1980s.

“He asked me if I had a bit of spare time and I agreed to do the box office on Thursday evenings and I’ve done Thursday evenings ever since.

“I went in the box office because it meant I could leave before the theatre closed.”

If anything the association with the Regent is stronger today than ever – Eunice and Peter’s granddaughter Felicity Porter is general manager.

“Nanna is very special to all of us at the Regent, especially to me, as she’s been here much longer than I have and what she doesn’t know about isn’t worth knowing,” said Felicity.

“She only works on Thursday evenings and I’m not allowed to leave until I’ve seen her, but other than that we keep it very professional while I’m at work and never talk about work at home.”