‘Believe in One Another’ – Couple Reveals the Secret to a Happy Marriage on 71st Wedding Anniversary

92-year-old Brenda Binns had the ‘perfect day’ when her care home, Ebor Court in York, organised a family dinner for her and her husband Bob’s 71st wedding anniversary.

Brenda and Bob (93) married in 1952 at St Pauls church in Holgate, York. At the time, Bob was completing his National Service while Brenda worked in Boot’s Library on Coney Street. Bob said,

‘It was a very windy day! You’ll notice in the photos that I’m standing on Brenda’s veil to stop it from blowing away. My best man and I were late to the ceremony because our Rolls Royce wouldn’t start, so we had to push it all the way there.’

The couple spent their wedding night at The Strand Palace Hotel in London, before heading to Polperro in Cornwall to enjoy their honeymoon.

To celebrate their 71st anniversary, staff at Ebor Court organised a meal for Brenda, Bob and their closest family and friends in one of the home’s lounges.

The group were presented with the pair’s favourite meal of pork fillet and fondant potatoes, followed by a traditional English trifle, wedding cake and a glass of fizz. Brenda said,

‘I cannot believe anyone would want to do all this for us! It’s been fabulous, a perfect day.

‘I’m very proud of the fact that we have been married for so long and managed to stay together, I think its wonderful. Bob and I never spend time apart – we know each other so well that we even finish each other’s sentences!’

Bob added, ‘The day has been marvellous. Everyone has been so wonderful and put in so much work for our anniversary.’

When asked what their secret is to a long and happy marriage, Brenda answered, ‘The secret is to believe in one another, to always listen to the other’s opinions, and to always be there for each other.’

The Home Manager at Ebor Court, Shane Talbot, commented,

‘It’s so important to us that we do everything we can to help our residents celebrate these milestones in their lives, and its an honour to be able to share these moments with them.
‘We’re so glad we were able to give Brenda and Bob such a special 71st anniversary with their family and friends.’

Ebor Court, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home, rated ‘GOOD’ by the Care Quality Commission. All bedrooms in the care homes are en-suite, enabling staff to deliver person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible. Ideal Carehomes was named the winner of the Large Residential Care category in the Laing Buisson Awards 2022.