Love is in the air – Thorrington care home resident revisits wedding venue 63 years later

A resident at a Thorrington care home was thrilled when her and her husband were surprised with a special Valentine’s date to revisit the church they were married in 63 years ago.

 88-year-old Jean Ruffles who lives at Care UK’s Silversprings, on Tenpenny Hill, was surprised by the team and her husband Derek, aged 84, with a visit to Langham Church in Colchester to relive their wedding day.

 Jean and Derek first met when they were children, when Jean’s father worked as Head Gamekeeper at Langham Hall Estate and Derek’s father worked at the same estate as a chauffeur. Jean attended Derek’s third birthday party, and the couple remained friends as youngsters until beginning a relationship in their early twenties.

 At the place where they grew up attending Sunday School together, it was only right the couple wed at Langham Church – Jean’s bouquet was even made of flowers from the gardens of Langham Hall.

 With Valentine’s Day approaching, and the couple’s anniversary coming up on 1^st April, the team at Silversprings decided to surprise Jean and Derek with a trip to the church, giving the couple the opportunity to show the team round the place they so frequently talk about.

 Reliving their wedding day to the full, the happy couple recreated their original wedding pictures and shared fond memories of the day and their lives together since.

 Commenting on the trip, Jean said: “I loved the trip out – it was so special going back to the church and seeing the grounds. I even saw the window of the house where I used to live!”

 Derek added: “It was wonderful to revisit the church and to relive those cherished memories of us both stood at the top of the aisle on our special day. Being back at the church also brought back fond memories of the time we spent at the church together as children – standing where I used to sing as a choir boy.”

 Continuing the Valentine’s festivities, the team at Silversprings will be hosting a romantic lunch for Jean and Derek, and the other residents living at the home, complete with prosecco, heart-shaped balloons and a singer to serenade everyone.

 Joanne Rix, Home Manager at Silversprings, said: “Jean and Derek often talk fondly of their wedding day, sharing happy stories and fond memories of the special ceremony, which is why the team here at Silversprings thought it would be the perfect opportunity to surprise the happy couple by taking them back to the church.

 “Jean and Derek were thrilled to return and couldn’t stop smiling all day – sharing memories as though their wedding was yesterday. At Silversprings, we understand how important activities which prompt reminiscence can be, and it was wonderful to see how vivid Jean’s memories of the day were – she had so many happy memories to share and the pair loved recreating their photos.

“We’re thrilled that Jean and Derek had such a lovely time and are looking forward to continuing to celebrate the rest of the relationships within the home – whether that’s marriages or friendships – with some special entertainment and food.”

 Silversprings is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own hair salon.

 For more information on Silversprings, please call Customer Relations Manager, Lisa O’Sullivan, on 01206 809173, or email lisa.osullivan@careuk.com 

 For more general information, please go to careuk.com/silversprings