Care home couples share their tips for a long and happy marriage – including giving up TV and always meeting your mother-in-law.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the team at Care UK’s Newbury Grove on Newbury’s London Road put on a romantic celebration for seven couples at the home.
He shared his tips, so that young couples can follow in his footsteps.
David and Ann Gore, aged 92 and 90, have been married for 66 years, and met in Germany when Ann was staying with friends in the Ruhr area.
When asked for this advice for a long, happy marriage, he said: “Make sure you meet your future mother-in-law and study her carefully, so you know what’s going to happen next.”
Hazel Lambert, 72, and her husband Barry met in 1969 at their local pub and married in February of 1971.
Hazel baked her wedding cake, decorating it with real flowers that crystallized.
One of the guests mistakenly ate one of them, mistaking it for an artificial one, but he was none the wiser.
Hazel said: “Don’t be too proud to say you’re wrong and try to see the other person’s point of view, no matter how hard it may seem.”
(Andrew H Williams / Care UK / SWNS)
(Andrew H Williams / Care UK / SWNS)
It was love at first sight for Maureen, 77, and Paul Long, 80, after they were introduced on a blind date by Paul’s brother 55 years ago.
Maureen said: “Turn off the TV and talk to each other.”
Resident Carol-Anne Foulkes, 82, and her husband Graham enjoyed their first date at a pub in Bath.
Carroll, who has lived all over the world including Kenya, Nairobi and the Canary Islands, settled in Newbury in 2003 with Graham.
Graham Foulkes said: “Being able to laugh at ourselves and give each other space when it’s needed.”