Celebrations were in full swing at HC-One’s Pennwood Lodge care home in Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge as Marion and Brian Thatcher reached their diamond wedding anniversary.
Marion and Brian first met when they lived just ten houses away from each other, with Brian first catching sight of Marion walking down the road as he was repairing his motor bike.
As the pair grew fond of each other, Brian was delighted to take Marion on their first date as he took her for a ride out on his motorbike.
The happy couple married on 7th February in 1970 and have since gone on to have a son, Michael, who regularly visits Marion at Pennwood Lodge to take her out for a spin in his car.
Once married, Marion was a housewife and stay-at-home mother, while Brian worked in several careers, including a postman, telegram operator and factory worker.
When asked what their secret was to a long and happy marriage, Brian said that the most important thing to him was that Marion was happy.
Colleagues at Pennwood Lodge made the celebrations extra special, as they sectioned off a private area in the home for Marion and Brian and decorated it with balloons and flowers.
To celebrate 50 years of marriage, the happy couple welcomed their son Michael into the home for a special lunch and a glass of champagne, before cutting their special anniversary cake.
Irene Kirui, Home Manager at Pennwood Lodge, said: “At HC-One, we make every effort to help Residents celebrate their special occasions in the most memorable way possible.
“Marion and Brian are such a lovely couple so it was lovely to see them laughing and smiling as they enjoyed their anniversary meal with their son.”