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Hartlepool care home couple celebrate 50 years together

BySam Schofield

May 25, 2020

A CARE home couple have celebrated half a century of marriage with homemade cakes and prosecco.

Brian and Florence Thompson, both 75, marked their golden anniversary at Queens Meadow Care Home, on Stockton Road, Hartlepool.

They received two homemade cakes to commemorate the day – one from staff member Sara Nichols and the other from their family members.

The happy couple, who enjoyed a slice of each with glasses of bubbly, shared the cakes with fellow residents and staff.

Brian and Flo first met when they were both 26, at the Queens Rink Ballroom, affectionately known as “The Rink”, which was on Clarence Road before it was demolished in 1968.

Brian said: “I first saw Flo walking down the street and I instantly thought she was beautiful.

“We used to spend a lot of time going to the youth clubs together and we often enjoyed going to the carnival and dancing at The Rink.

“I wanted to ask Flo’s father for her hand in marriage for a full week before I found the courage. I kept having to send Flo to the bingo to make sure she was out of the house.”

The pair married at Hartlepool Registry Office on 2nd May 1970 and enjoyed their reception at the RAFA Club, on Stockton Road.

Once married, they enjoyed spending time walking their dog, Kim, and looking in shop windows.

Flo moved into Queens Meadow Care Home in February 2020 and Brian followed in March. They have since been enjoying gardening together in the home’s outdoor spaces.

Asked their secret to a long and happy marriage, Brian said: “It’s helping each other. That’s what makes it work for us.”

Julie Armstrong, home manager at Queens Meadow Care Home, said: “Brian and Flo are such a lovely couple and we were delighted to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with them.

“They both had a lovely day and enjoyed sharing their two anniversary cakes with their fellow residents and staff.”