AMATEUR theatre enthusiasts Jack and Winnie Ingleson from Guiseley have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

Mr and Mrs Ingleson, who together have notched up 120 years with the Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society, were married 60 years ago on June 8.

Both are holders of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association's diamond award for 60 years service to amateur theatre, and they say tolerance has been the recipe for a happy married life.

Former beauty queen, Mrs Ingleson, said: "Jack has always been keen on singing and sang with the Bridge Church Choir at Otley for 72 years. "We have both enjoyed appearing in musicals and working for the Guiseley society."

Mrs Ingleson, 81, first appeared on stage in a nativity play in 1923 when she was just three years old.

She was twice maid of honour to the Guiseley Rose Queen and was later the Yorkshire Evening News Queen for which she was crowned at Leeds Town Hall in December 1923.

During her spell in office, Mrs Ingleson met many interesting people including actress Anna Neagle and band leader Roy Fox. Later she was elected Queen of Pontefract.

Her first major stage part was principal boy in Sleeping Beauty, given at Guiseley Town Hall in 1934. Mrs Ingleson played numerous parts in musicals put on by the Guiseley

society. She was at one time a member of Guiseley Townswomen's Guild choir and is a member of Guiseley Parish Church.

Mr Ingleson was a principal with the Guiseley society. A tenor, Jack appeared in nearly 30 musical shows. He played a principal role of Jonel in Gipsy Love in 1949 and had the leading role of Robert in the 1951 production of Lilac Domino.

His last major singing part was Von Asterberg in The Student Prince given in 1965. He served on the Guiseley society's committee for many years.

Mr Ingleson served with the army during the 1939-45 war and saw service in India. He was for a time a member of the Lahore Choral Society.

Mr Ingleson, a retired cobbler, was in business in Otley for a number of years. "Music has been our life and we have thoroughly enjoyed appearing in musical shows," added Mrs Ingleson.

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