THEY say good luck rubs off from a chimney sweep – which is why one was lying in wait for this newlywed couple 38 years ago.

Bill and Sylvia Dixon of Parkstone celebrate 38 happy years of marriage this month. Their wedding at Branksome Methodist Church in October 1975 had the bride in the traditional white wedding dress and men in smart suits.

“We signed the large wedding book which couples getting married today don’t seem to do,” said Bill who was also celebrating his birthday on his wedding day.

Sylvia was 19 and worked at the Savoy Hotel in Bournemouth and Bill was three years older doing his coach painting apprenticeship at F. English in Langley Road, Parkstone.

What the couple didn’t know was Bill’s mother had an unusual surprise waiting for them.

“My mother had organised a chimney sweep to meet us outside the church. He gave my wife a big kiss and wished us good luck,” said Bill They had their wedding reception at the Fox Hotel in Parkstone Road, on the edge of Poole Park.

Bill qualified as a coach painter, decorating many buses for the Hants & Dorset Buses ( later Wilts & Dorset ) over the years, plus he helped restore an old coach for Royal Blue Coaches centenary. He was also a bus driver and today is a newly CPC qualified mini bus driver. Sylvia, also known as Maureen, became the head cook at Langside School in Parkstone. They have two sons who live locally.

Contact Echoes if you can name the chimney sweep or the vicar at Bill and Sylvia Dixon’s wedding.