Ashcroft care home couple reflect on a lifetime of love and laughter

Joan and Les Hooson, both aged 82, first met in 1970, when Les was a fireman and Joan worked at Berling and Mendor in Apperley Bridge. Their connection was immediate, and just two years later, in 1972, they married at the Register Office in Bradford. Now, after 53 years of marriage, their love is as alive as it was when they first met, and continues to flourish at Ashcroft care home in Bradford.

Together, Joan and Les raised five children and now enjoy the company of four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Their memories are filled with family holidays, from trips to Hornsea with their beloved pug, Walter, to caravanning through sunny Salou in Spain. For Joan and Les, family is everything, and the bond they share has only grown stronger over the years. 

Reflecting on the secret to their enduring relationship, Joan and Les agree that the key to staying in love for over five decades is laughter. “The secret is being able to joke with each other, laugh together, and harmlessly tease each other for fun,” says Joan. “It keeps the spark and love forever. You have to laugh together and at each other.” Their ability to find and share humour in everyday life has been the foundation of their relationship. 

In March 2023, Joan and Les moved to Ashcroft care home together, opting for a double room where they can continue sharing their lives in the same way they always have. Whether sitting side by side in their armchairs, watching the world go by, or enjoying romantic meals for two, their days are filled with quiet contentment – and, of course, plenty of laughter. 

For further information on Ashcroft care home, click here.