Littlehampton couple celebrate 65th wedding anniversary

Love was in the air at a local care home when two residents celebrated a very special milestone. 

Eileen, aged 86, and her husband, Clive, aged 89, toasted their 65^th wedding anniversary on 20^th August at Care UK’s Darlington Court, on The Leas off Station Road, where they both live.

It was love at first sight when Clive and Eileen met in Exeter. The pair became pen pals as Clive, who was an electrician, was serving in the Royal Navy, during which time he was stationed on the Royal Yacht Britannia. 

Despite Clive being away on duty a lot, it wasn’t long before the two were wed, on 20^th August 1958 in Exeter, with Eileen stunning friends and family with her black and white dress. Clive said: “It was a lovely sunny day for the wedding. My friends from the Navy attended. It was not a very big wedding, but it was great fun.”

Eileen and Clive have two children together, Tim and Andrew, and have two grandchildren.

To celebrate the special milestone, Darlington Court’s team decorated the home’s lounge with balloons and banners, and the home’s Head Chef, prepared a three-course meal which the couple enjoyed with their family. 

Nikki Burke, Home Manager at Darlington Court, said: “We were all honoured to be celebrating such a momentous anniversary with Eileen and Clive, and many other residents were thrilled to reminisce with them about their own wedding days.

“Despite spending large periods of time apart early in their marriage, they truly are inseparable now, and we can all learn a thing or two from their long-lasting marriage. Happy anniversary, Eileen and Clive!”