’Don’t be too serious – just have fun!’ – couple married for 66 years reveal their secret

A couple at a local care home have shared their secret to a long and happy marriage after more than sixty-six years together.   

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the team at Care UK’s Harrier Lodge, on Thanet Way, encouraged Phil Wonford, aged 87, and Barbara, aged 86, to reminisce about their early days as a couple as they revealed the secret to a long marriage – ‘to give and take’. 

When asked what advice she’d give to young couples, Barbara said: “Don’t be too serious – just have fun. To grow together, you have to give and take.” 

Phil added: “Just give her everything she wants!”

Phil and Barbara met in 1954 when Barbara was working alongside Phil’s sister-in-law at a local hairdressers. With Phil’s brother and sister-in-law acting as cupid, a date at the local cinema followed shortly after. After Barbara paid for her own cinema ticket, Phil thought: “I’ve found myself a good one here!”. 

The couple married not long after on April 11^th 1955, at the Holy Trinity Church in Broadstairs. The couple have two children, David and Colin, six grandchildren and more recently, three great grandchildren. The couple have enjoyed travelling around the world and have even lived in North Africa when Phil’s work took him abroad.

On the big day, the home’s chef has planned a special Valentine’s meal, which will include lemon and rosemary crusted cod fillet, served with hassle back potatoes and veg, followed by apple crumble. Keen for the home’s setting to match the theme of the day, team members will ensure love is truly in the air by decorating the home’s home cinema room with rose petals, flowers, and balloons. 

Diane Collins, Home Manager at Harrier Lodge, said: “Phil and Barbara are a love story for the ages – they’re truly inseparable, and we could all learn a thing or two from their long-lasting marriage.

“We thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity to encourage them to reminisce while treating them to a special romantic meal. It was great to be able to organise a special ‘date night’ for them.  

“Love truly is in the air at Harrier Lodge, and many of the residents have also been reminiscing and sharing fond memories of their own wedding days; it was lovely to hear their stories too. We’d like to say a big thank you to Phil and Barbara for their wise words – their ‘give and take’ philosophy has certainly given us food for thought.”

Harrier Lodge is a purpose-built care home which has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care for up to 65 older people in Whitstable, and incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, including its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café. 

For more information about Harrier Lodge, please call Home Manager, Diane Collins, on 01227 808749, or email Diane.Collins@careuk.com.

For more general information on Harrier Lodge, please visit careuk.com/harrier-lodge.