Braziers Field couple celebrate 70-year wedding anniversary

David, 91, and Irene, 94, Shaw met back when they were both just 17 and 19 years of age. To celebrate the landmark occasion, a surprise party was organised by residents at Braziers Field in Hertford. 

Those who attended were encouraged to ‘dress for a wedding’, and residents got into the swing of things with the men wearing suits and bow ties, and the ladies wearing party dresses with fascinators or hats. 

The garden was decorated with a wedding arch entwined with flowers, and residents made flower buttonholes for everyone. The happy couple were showered in confetti as they arrived at the party. 

Belinda Sheridan, Location Manager at Braziers Field, said:

I have been the Location Manager at Braziers Field for two and a half years and can honestly say that David and Irene are an amazing couple. They go everywhere together and always seem so happy and cheerful.

They are a delight to be around and are always eager to attend any social events at Braziers Field. They have made many friends in the six years they have lived here.

The couple met at a Building Society where they worked when David was 17 and Irene 19. 

Irene admitted it wasn’t love at first sight, but they liked each other and were very lucky to meet and marry the right person.

She joked that David married her for money, as she had just £12 in her bank account at the time!  

Irene remembers David had a motorbike in the early days, which although she hated, was their only way of getting around. She has never forgotten the time they travelled to Southend on Sea together on the bike and David got lost. 
 
They married on 14 August 1954 in London, where they lived most of their early life together. They have three children, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.   

Their lives have centred around their family, and David and Irene have taken great delight in helping out with the grandchildren. 

David reckons the secret to a happy marriage is knowing when to say, ‘yes dear’!

For more information on Anchor’s Braziers Field housing location, please click here.