Stockport care home couples reveal their secrets to a happy marriage this Valentine’s Day

 

“Do not get married” was some of the more humorous relationship advice shared by couples at a care home in Stockport when they enjoyed a very special Valentine’s Day celebration.

Despite the advice, love was in the air when the team at Care UK’s Ladybrook Manor, on Dairyground Road, arranged a special celebration for three couples living at the home. Everyone was encouraged to reminisce about their early days together and reveal their secrets to a long and happy marriage. 

The heart-warming afternoon, which was dedicated to love, laughter, and lasting relationships, had each couple filled with gratitude as they enjoyed tailor made lunch, which had been thoughtfully prepared by the home’s Head Chef.  

Adding to the ambience of the event, the couples had their lunch in an exclusive dining room with their own dedicated dressed tables for them.

Joining the celebrations were residents Leslie and Margaret Woolf, who have been married for 68 years. They met in 1954 at their local church and their first date was spent at their local cinema. The couple married two years later in 1956. 

Also joining the special celebration was happy couple Edward and Margaret Underwood, aged 95 and 91, who shared how they first met in Germany in a schoolhouse during a German language course, where they became friends. Recalling their first impressions of one another, Edward said he thought Margaret was a “right clever clogs” and she thought Edward was “kind and organised.”

They both went their separate ways after finishing at the school, but when they returned home, they exchanged photographs and went on a German course together in Chorley where their romance blossomed. 

The couple married on 2^nd April 1993 at Stockport Registry Office in a secret wedding with only their best friends, Barbara and Cyril, present, which was followed by a wedding breakfast at The Bridge in Prestbury.

Jokingly reflecting on their marriage, Edward said one piece of advice he would give to young couples is “Do not get married!”, while Margaret smiled and responded with: “Marriage is the right thing to do!” The couple also said that “sharing everything” was important in marriage.

Also attending the dinner was married duo Donald and Doreen Gunn, aged 83 and 80. The couple met in 1960 on a Saturday night at a traditional jazz band dance in Glasgow. They married just five years later, on 16^th July 1965 at Stuart Hotel in East Kilbride. Together they have two children, Louise and Jonathan, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. 

When asked to give advice to young couples, the couple said to “avoid finishing the day on an argument” and “anticipate your partner’s needs and wishes and attempt to meet them.”

Sharing their secrets to a happy marriage, they added that “having some distinct and different interests can become mutually beneficial.”

Susan Cameron, General Manager at Ladybrook Manor, said: “Leslie and Margaret, Edward and Margaret, and Ben and Doreen are three love stories for the ages. It was great to be able to organise a special ‘date night’ for each of them. I’d also like to say a special thank you to our wonderful chef for creating such a fantastic menu for the evening.  

“Here at Ladybrook Manor, love is certainly in the air, and it’s been wonderful to encourage so many of the residents to reminisce and share fond memories from their own marriages and relationships. Many wise words were shared that have certainly given us food for thought. 

“We’d like to say thank you to all the happy couples for sharing their stories.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Ladybrook Manor provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents, and the home has its own couple’s suites, café and hair and beauty salon.