MARRIED couple George and Ann Bullock recreated their first date at a landmark Middlesbrough cinema over 60 years later.
The romantic pair went to the Elite Picture House, on Linthorpe Road, in 1956 to see romantic musical drama Love Me or Leave Me, starring Doris Day and James Cagney.
However, the venue closed as a cinema in 1987, later opening as the Crown Bingo Club and then Crown pub, which has also since shut.
George and Ann were, therefore, treated to a trip to the town’s Cineworld to see a dementia friendly screening of hit summer musical Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
George, 82, is a resident at The Gables Care Home, on Highfield Road, which organised for several residents to go to see the film.
Ann, 79, who visits George daily since he moved into the home in June 2018, said: “It was lovely to have a day out together, to have George dressed up smart, and be able to spend time on our own.
“We’ve had the most lovely life together and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Following their first date more than 62 years ago, George and Ann got engaged when she was 17 years old. They married when Ann was 19, had their son at 21 and daughter at 25.
They are set to mark their 60th wedding anniversary in March 2019.
Another resident of The Gables Care Home, Gordon Clark, also went to see the Mamma Mia sequel.
The pensioner had to console the home’s activities coordinator, Emma Myers, after she broke into tears during an emotional scene, when the death of a popular character is revealed.
Emma said: “I didn’t realise that Donna’s character had died, and I got quite emotional, which is when George held my hand until I’d stopped crying.
“It was great to see how much the residents enjoyed the trip out. Their faces were full of enjoyment and they haven’t stopped talking about it since.
“We’re planning on seeing Grease next time.”