Wigan couple celebrate 57 years of marriage

Eileen, 77, lives at Belong Wigan in Platt Bridge while Barry, 80, lives in Swinley.

Belong Wigan shared the couple's lovely story as part of National Marriage Week in the run-up to Valentine's Day.

Barry and Eileen met at the Empress Ballroom when they were 19 and 17 and got married in February 1964, four days before Eileen's 21st birthday.

Their love for one another remains undimmed, with Barry visiting the care village on Millers Lane on a daily basis with flowers during the first lockdown.

The couple celebrated 57 years together on Monday.

Gill Menguy, general manager at Belong Wigan, said: “Barry's devotion throughout the Covid-19 situation has been so moving and we were delighted to see the happy couple celebrating their wedding anniversary.

"Eileen lives here at Belong Wigan and Barry would visit every day if he could. During the first lockdown, Barry would bring flowers almost every day with a love note for Eileen.

"They are an absolutely beautiful couple and we wish them every happiness and congratulations on their anniversary.

"The team pulled out all the stops, providing gifts and treats for them, too.”

Barry told the story of how they met on June 4, 1960.

He said: "I saw Eileen in the Empress Ballroom, Wigan. I had just walked in and I saw a stunning girl in a white dress and I walked straight across the room towards her, to ask her to dance.

"They say Cupid fires an arrow, but it was more like an anti-tank missile.

"Later in the night, we danced again and I plucked up the courage to ask her out. From that day on we saw one another almost every day. She was as nice a person as she looked."

The couple got engaged two years after they met.

Barry said: "My only regret was not getting down on one knee and asking her to marry me. We were talking about things we wanted to do and I said: ‘When we are married, we can do whatever we like,’ to which Eileen said: ‘Are we getting married then?’.

"I took her the following weekend to pick her engagement ring. I was 21 and Eileen was 19."

The couple tied the knot at a Catholic church in Lowton and then, following a reception at the Grand Hotel in Wigan, went on honeymoon to Ramsey on the Isle of Man, where Eileen had first attended school.

The couple have two daughters, Julia and Andrea, and four grandchildren: Luke, Hannah and twins Emma and Ethan.

Barry and Eileen lived on Wigan Lane for more than 40 years and Barry spoke of their enjoyment of spending time in each other's company, doing everything together.

They particularly enjoyed holidays in Devon and Cornwall and going to their caravan in the Lake District and Cotswolds.

Barry said: "We always cared for each other more than we did ourselves. Eileen has always been the perfect lady and I have never met anyone who didn’t take to her. In fact, my own father said to me after meeting Eileen for the first time – ‘The girl is much too nice for you’."

This week is also a double celebration for Eileen as she turns 78 on February 12.

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