Life together is pure gold

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Sunday 23rd Dec 2007.

GIUSEPPE and Maria Zarola could not have imagined an arranged marriage 50 years ago today would hold so many golden memories.

The Rayfield Grove residents have lived in Swindon for the last 46 years but their romance began long before they moved to the town.

They grew up together, without really knowing each other that well, in the Italian mountain village of Curinga in southern Italy.

An arranged marriage at a register office was decided between their families in 1957 - which was not uncommon for Italians in those days.

"He is a very nice man," said 79-year-old Maria. "We don't seem to argue very much."

Giuseppe wrote to Maria's parents asking if he could have her hand in marriage.

She was under no pressure to accept, but she gladly did.

"Giuseppe has always been a family man - he would always make sure the children and me were all right and would provide for us," she said.

"I would say a lot of patience is the key in our marriage.

"We have similar interests - we like good Italian pasta and wine, TV, and working on the allotments."

They are very settled in Swindon. They liken Rome to London and the Italian area they grew up in to Devon or Cornwall.

The pair have two sons and four granddaughters.

"We are happy with life in Swindon and our grandchildren keep us young," said Maria.

Her husband added: "Maria is a lovely and very pretty lady. We really love each other and always have.

"She sometimes shouts at me as she doesn't think I'm very organised. But she does it for my own good which I appreciate "

Giuseppe, who fought for the Italian army in the Second World War was captured by the Germans in France and managed to escape from a prison camp.

He does not like to talk about his experiences but said it was a frightening time in his life during the 1940s.

Although he drove a truck during the war he has never bought a car.

Giuseppe worked for Plessey Semiconductors on the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate for 36 years.

Maria cleaned Ferndale Junior and Infant School.

Their son Vito, 47, from Shaw, said: "We're a close knit family.

"Every Christmas and Easter we have a family gathering, which is the Italian way of course.

"They really like their pasta and wine. My brother and I were brought up eating the Italian cuisine - we loved it."

The couple will be will be wined and dinned at the De Vere Hotel today and a family photo will also be taken to mark the occasion.

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