‘Marry a man who can make a good gin and tonic!” – Cardiff residents share secret to a happy marriage on 63rd anniversary

Love was well and truly in the air at a Cardiff care home when two residents celebrated a very special milestone.  

Josephine Langley, aged 89, and her husband Aubrey, aged 91, toasted their 63^rd wedding anniversary at Care UK’s Llys Cyncoed, on Cyncoed Road, where they both live, on the 27^th February.  

The pair met when Josephine was 24 years old at a dance, in Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. Aubrey had asked Josephine for the first dance which was a foxtrot. She said: “How could I refuse?”

Aubrey and Josephine spent their first date at the cinema in Pontypool, where they sat on the back row. Aubrey said: “Strangely, we can’t remember what film was on!” The couple then got married on the 27^th February 1960 at St Peter’s Church in Blaenavon.

Josephine said: “There was a tax benefit for getting married in February! It was a fine day – a little cold. My best friend Ann was my bridesmaid, and the reception was at Mostyn Hall with a yummy sit-down meal. From there we travelled to Bournemouth where we spent our honeymoon.”

The couple went on to have two boys called Andrew and Martin. Andrew, who now lives in New Zealand and Martin who still lives in Cardiff has a son called Tom. 

When asked the secret to a long and happy marriage, Aubrey said: “Lots of patience and a good sense of humour.”

Josephine added: “A husband who knows how to do a good barbecue and an exceptional gin and tonic!” 

To celebrate the special milestone, the team at Llys Cyncoed surprised the couple with a romantic meal, complete with gin and tonics and a specially made anniversary cake. Residents and team members joined together to raise a toast to the happy couple. 

Virgil Frincu, General Manager at Llys Cyncoed, said: “Here at Llys Cyncoed, we know the importance of celebrating life’s milestones, big or small. This was a big day for Josephine and Aubrey and one we were honoured to be a part of. They are a wonderful couple, with lots of wisdom about building a strong and successful marriage that I think we could all learn from. 

“The atmosphere in the home was wonderful and prompted residents to reminisce and share fond memories of their own weddings. It truly was a day to remember – happy anniversary Josephine and Aubrey!”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Llys Cyncoed incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

To find out more information about Llys Cyncoed, contact Director of Community Relations, Elisabeth May, on elisabeth.may@careuk.com, call 02920 001689 or visit careuk.com/llys-cyncoed