Couple celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at HC-One’s Bowbridge Court Care Home, Newark

A couple celebrating their ‘golden’ year have been given a helping hand by a Newark care home team.

Richard Woodhurst, a resident at HC-One’s Bowbridge Court Care Home, has celebrated his golden wedding anniversary in style with his wife Sylvia – 50 years to the day from saying their “I dos”.

The couple’s relationship began with a blind date orchestrated by Sylvia’s Aunt Peggy and Uncle Phil at their home in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

From that first meeting, the couple’s journey took them to nearby Welwyn, where they exchanged vows on March 31, 1975, before heading to France for their honeymoon, a destination they have returned to many times.

Sylvia began her teaching career in Canada before moving to England in 1974, where she inspired students with her love of history. Richard, meanwhile, worked as a design and technology teacher.

They have two children – son Marc, now married to Sian and living in Greenwich, and daughter Sue, who resides in the Lake District with Ethan, Sylvia and Richard’s first grandchild.

The team at Bowbridge Court Care Home stepped up to make the occasion unforgettable, serving a beef stroganoff for lunch and then fruit and ice cream, topped off with decadent cake on their golden anniversary on Monday (March 31).

Sylvia was also presented with flowers and framed photo by the Bowbridge Court team.

When asked what their secret to a long and happy marriage, Sylvia and Richard said: “We both cherish our love for travel and music, but from the day we met to now, we have remained two distinct individuals with just a handful of shared passions.

"That’s what keeps our lives vibrant – we are always delighting each other with fresh stories and discoveries from our own worlds.”

Wendy Tomkins, Bowbridge Court front of house manager, said: “We’re thrilled to honour Sylvia and Richard’s milestone with bubbles, cake, and a heartfelt celebration. Their love story is an inspiration to us all.”