A lifetime of love: Stratford-upon-Avon couple celebrates 71st Valentine’s Day together

“Listen to each other” is just one of the pieces of advice given by a couple at a care home in Stratford-upon-Avon as they enjoyed their 71^st Valentine’s Day together. 

Love was in the air when the team at Care UK’s Ambleside, on Evesham Road, arranged a special lunch for John and Sylvia Fenton.

John, and Sylvia, both aged 96, dressed to the nines to enjoy champagne and a delicious meal prepared by the home’s Head Chef, as they reminisced about their early days as a couple.

It was in 1955 when they met while both working for the Midland Red Bus Company in Birmingham. John managed the fares for the bus routes and Sylvia was in the accounts team. 

Not long after they met, the couple were married on 9^th July 1955 at a church in Blackheath. The couple remembered the day fondly: “though it was a damp morning, by the end of the service the sun had come out to help celebrate our special day”.

One of their most cherished memories was bringing their son, Tony, into the world. They also have two grandchildren, who regularly visit them at Ambleside.

The couple agreed that to keep a marriage successful, it’s important to talk about your problems and don’t worry too much, as “life is too short”.

Stephanie Obeng, Deputy Manager at Ambleside, said: “John and Sylvia are such a lovely couple and a real joy to have here at Ambleside. You can see how much they care for each other – whether they’re sharing a laugh or sitting together in the garden, it’s clear their bond is something really special.

“Celebrating their 71^st Valentine’s Day together was a wonderful moment for everyone. Hearing about their life together, from meeting through their work at the Midland Red Bus Company to raising a family, was so inspiring.

“It was a day full of love, laughter and happy memories – we’re so lucky to have been a part of it.”

Ambleside is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.