‘Love and lots of give and take’ – the secret to a long marriage according to Sutton Coldfield residents

Love was in the air at a Sutton Coldfield care home when two residents celebrated their blue sapphire anniversary. 

Brian May, aged 86, and his wife Janice, aged 88, toasted their 65^th wedding anniversary in style at Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Drive, where they both live.

To toast the special milestone, the couple spent the day with their loved ones, reading their many cards of congratulations. It was a double celebration, as the next day was Janice’s birthday, when they went out for a family meal and enjoyed a slice of their special cake baked by the home’s head chef. As well as reflecting on their many happy years, Brian and Janice were thrilled to receive their very special card from the Queen.

Revealing the secret to a long and happy marriage, Janice said: “Love and lots of give and take.”

The pair met at the Isle of Wight’s Sandown Beach in 1954, where Janice was on holiday with her sisters and their partners. When they first met, Brian initially told a white lie about his age, since he was only 18 and eighteen months younger than her. Their long and happy marriage all began when the pair went to a dance together. 

The couple dated for three years before getting married on 27^th July 1957. During their careers, Brian worked as a Physics Lecturer at Birmingham Polytechnic, now Birmingham City University. Meanwhile, Janice worked as a nursery and infant schoolteacher throughout her life.

The couple share three children together, and six grandchildren, who regularly visit the couple at Mercia Grange. 

 

Catherine Evans, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “Here at Mercia Grange, we regularly celebrate big anniversaries and understand the importance of maintaining relationships and celebrating life’s milestones. We were honoured to be a part of such a special moment for Brian and Janice. They are truly inseparable and inspirational couple, and we can all learn a thing or two from their long-lasting marriage.  

“Marking such a special occasion at the home allowed many of the residents to reminisce and share fond memories of their own wedding days – it was lovely to hear their stories too. Happy anniversary Brian and Janice!”

Mercia Grange is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia, and short-term respite care. The three-storey care home, which features 67 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To find out more about Mercia Grange, please call Customer Relations Manager, Rachel Mackay, on 0121 314 3196, or email rachel.mackay@careuk.com.

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/mercia-grange.