Hambleton Grange couple celebrate their 55th Valentine’s Day together

Maureen knew from the moment she met Mike that she had found someone very special. Mike was waiting in the rain to catch a bus to begin his day working as an apprentice Secretary when Maureen happened to pass him on her Vespa scooter and stopped to offer Mike a lift to work.

Maureen continued to pass the same bus stop each day and began to carry a spare helmet in the hope of seeing Mike again.  Sure enough, they were reunited a few weeks later when Mike hitched another lift to work on the back of Maureen’s scooter. Shortly after the couple went on their first date where they recall driving to Hawnby in a Mini Cooper to have a scenic picnic.

Maureen said; “I remember Mike prepared everything, even down to making the double decker ham sandwiches. Whilst we were eating all the sheep on the hill flocked around us!” Mike added “It was a lovely spot, it is all about the little things, it is interesting that you remember that sort of detail.”

Mike asked Maureen for her hand in marriage during a midnight mass church service on Christmas Eve 1965 and the pair tied the knot in front of their friends and family at Easingwold Registry Office followed by a Church Blessing at Stockton Forest Church.

Maureen remembers the day well, stating “I had no time for nerves on the day, I was too excited because I was marrying the love of my life.” Mike added, “I couldn’t possibly be nervous on the day, I was marrying my best friend!”

The pair are set to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this April.

The couple share 4 children together and have 5 Grandchildren. They moved to Hambleton Grange in March 2019 and enjoy spending their days joining in with activities, especially art classes and dominos in the evening.

This Valentine's Day, Maureen and Mike say the most valuable advice they could offer the younger generation would be to find someone who is kind and caring but also willing to take an interest in your hobbies. Maureen shared how she would always find time to join in with Mikes’ hobbies such as watching football matches in order to spend time with Mike, and likewise Mike would always join in with Maureen’s interests too. She said, “It’s all about compromise.”

Mike also gave some tips on arranging a first date with a new beau; “There is no point in putting on a grand show on a first date and not acting like yourself, it is much better to do something truer to yourself and your interests that way you will never fail to live up to expectations.”

Nikki Higgins, Home Manager at Hambleton Grange said, “Maureen and Mike are absolutely fantastic, they love each other very much and enjoy being in each other’s company. I love hearing their stories from times gone by and how they have stuck together through thick and thin. A true inspiration to us all.”

Hambleton Grange, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home boasting an art gallery, hair salon and spacious lounges. Residents at Hambleton Grange enjoy a full programme of health, leisure and wellbeing activities managed by a dedicated team of carers. The home is rated as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

For more information about Hambleton Grange or to arrange a visit, contact Nikki on 01845 523 837.

www.idealcarehomes.co.uk/our-homes/hambleton-grange