127 years of love – Quorn care home residents share advice this Valentine’s Day

Quorn care home residents have come together to share their secrets to a long and happy marriage.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the team at Care UK’s  Lonsdale Mews, on Farley Way, put on a romantic celebration for two special couples at the home – who, between them, have been married over 127 years.

Residents Margaret and Ken Adams and Jim and Dinah Payne enjoyed an afternoon tea together, specially made by the home Head Chef.

With Valentine’s decorations filling the room, the special celebration saw the team play the couples' favourite songs, which got everyone dancing.

As part of the festivities, the team encouraged the couples to reminisce about their early days together, and they revealed their secrets to a long and happy marriage.

Residents Margaret and Ken Adams, aged 95 and 96, have been married for 60 years. Margaret was born in Scotland, and Ken was born in Worcester, and they met at a dance in Ken’s hometown when Margaret was there on holiday. 

When asked what they love most about each other, they said “the life they have made together”.

92-year-old Jim Payne and his wife Dinah, aged 93, met at the University of Bristol, when they quickly realised, they both had similar interests, studying veterinary practices together. Their advice to young couples today was to “take your time, get to know each other and be on the same page”

Jo Davison, Home Manager at Lonsdale Mews, said: “All of the couples at Lonsdale Mews are wonderful, and we could all learn a thing or two from their happy marriages. We thought Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity to encourage them to reminisce and share their pearls of wisdom. 

“Many of the residents have also been reminiscing and sharing memories of their own past loves; it was wonderful to hear stories from everyone’s younger years.    

“We’d like to say a big thank you to the couples for their wise words – and a very happy Valentine's Day to these incredible couples!”

Lonsdale Mews offers full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite. The home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hairdressing salon and café. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.