Eye couple to relive their wedding day 60 years later

 

Love was in the air, as a care home in Eye held a very special ceremony. 

Sylvia Cartwright, who lives at Care UK’s Hartismere Place care home, on Castleton Way, and her husband Dave renewed their vows to mark their 60^th wedding anniversary.  

Dave and Sylvia first met in 1958 at a dance in Shropshire and went on their first date a mere two days later. It was clear to both of them, from early on, that they had found the ‘one’ – and they have been inseparable ever since. 

Both Dave and Sylvia, now 84 and 83, were born and raised in Shropshire. Sylvia grew up playing sports, including hockey, and went on to work as a P.E. teacher. It was during her days in college when she met her future husband Dave, who was also studying at the time.  

After six years together, Sylvia and Dave tied the knot at St Mary’s Church, in Stottesdon, with an intimate, traditional wedding. Together, they have two children, and five grandchildren. 

When asked their secret to a long marriage, Dave and Sylvia revealed the key was to “have genuine love for one another” and to “never go to bed angry at each other”.  Their shared belief that problems that may come up in the relationship should bring people together instead of pushing them apart, they say, is one of the things that allowed their marriage to thrive for six decades. 

To mark their 60^th wedding anniversary, Dave and Sylvia were able to re-affirm their unwavering partnership again in a special vow renewal ceremony held at Hartismere Place care home, in front of their close friends and family, including their best man. The couple’s granddaughter, Emily, also did a special reading, before ending proceedings with the song ‘Whenever I See Your Face’ by Roberta Flack – a favourite of the couple.    

Dave said: “I was actually rather nervous, hoping that all would go well – which it did of course. My mind went back to our wedding day, which I could remember in detail, and also back to the first time we met. 

“I felt very proud of the fact that we had been together for most of our lives, and of our enduring love and support for each other that has taken us through the ups and downs along the way.”

Claire Martin, Home Manager at Hartismere Place, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of Dave and Sylvia’s vow renewal ceremony.

“Here at Hartismere Place, we believe special milestones like these should be celebrated. With Dave and Sylvia’s best man present, it truly felt like stepping back into the past – it was wonderful to help them reminisce and hear their memories of their big day. 

“Happy diamond anniversary, Dave and Sylvia – you’ve inspired us all.”

Hartismere Place has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, residential dementia, as well as short term respite care. The team also operates a day centre, the Hartismere Place Day Club, open to the community throughout the week.