Annesley Lodge care home residents offer romantic advice to young valentines

Two residents from Annesley Lodge care home in Nottingham have offered romantic advice to young couples celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Residents Dorrie Bowmar and Bernard Beilby are new to being ‘agony aunts’ but hope their experience of married life will help young couples have a happy and long relationship.

The pair, who live at Anchor’s Annesley Lodge in Annesley Road, will join other residents for a week of Valentine’s themed events: a lunch with families, reminiscence sessions looking at photos of their wedding days, an entertainer and a singalong.

Dorrie, 98, who was married to husband Stanley for 42 years, said the secret to their marriage was to not just about loving each other but being financially careful.

Great grandmother Dorrie, who married Stanley at Hucknall Parish Church on Valentine’s Day in 1942, said:

The secret to a long and happy marriage is to be best of friends as well as being a couple.

"My advice to young couples is to look after your money and if possible buy a place of your own. My husband always gave me flowers on Valentine’s Day.

“Our wedding day was during the War but we still made the best we could of it. Heavy rationing meant food was in short supply but we still had enough for sandwiches and even a wedding cake.

“It was a magical day - I wore a white dress and there was snow all around the church yard.”

Fellow resident Bernard Beilby, 95, who was married his wife Joyce at St Stephen’s Church in Nottingham in 1950, stressed that enjoying doing things together was the key to a happy marriage.

Great grandfather Bernard said: “The advice I would give young couples is don’t rush into things. Have a long engagement to get to know each other well as we are all on our best behaviour when we start out. You have to agree on money, politics and religion.”

Annesley Lodge Deputy Manager Claire Dixon said the week of Valentine’s themed events was part of a packed programme of activities at the care home.

She said: “This is such an exciting event. There will be lots of fun, colour and wonderful food. Older people have a life time of experience when it comes to love so it’s great they can offer younger couples advice.

“The party is part of Annesley Lodge’s ongoing programme of interesting activities which aim to stimulate the residents physically and mentally.

“Such events are also a great occasion for residents to socialise with friends and their families.”