Couple at MHA Handsworth celebrate 60th wedding anniversary with trip down memory lane thanks to wedding dress and photo album

A resident couple living at MHA Handsworth care home celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and were able to roll back the years thanks to the family bringing in their wedding album and the dress worn by the bride.

John and Sue Rowe both live at the Altrincham home and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the home.

They were joined by their daughters Louise and Lizzy, who bought in Sue's wedding dress as well as a photo album containing pictures from their big day.

The couple married at the St Annes Church in Manchester and the wedding party was held at Stanneylands Hotel.

The wedding was held on the same day as the 1966 World Cup Final where England beat West Germany 4-2.

MHA Handsworth provides residential care for 43 residents.

"On the day of their anniversary they spent the morning opening cards and gifts received from family and friends and Sue was presented with a bouquet of roses and a card from John, they were also presented with a 'then and now' photo album which I had put together using pictures from meaningful moments here at Handsworth along with pictures that their family had sent in from the past."

Charlotte Fowkes, activity coordinator said: "John and Sue are an adorable couple and we are all very proud to have been part of their wedding anniversary.

"It has been a week-long celebration starting off with a visit from one of their daughters who brought Sue's wedding dress with her.

"We placed the dress on a mannequin and took it up to Sue's room to show her.

"Sue wasn't aware that the family were bringing in her dress and her face lit up when she saw it.

"Sue was thrilled to see the dress and went on to tell me that it had been worn by 3 members of the family, herself, her sister and her daughter Louise.

"They also brought in a photo album containing a selection of pictures from John and Sue's wedding day.

"Within the album there was a list when contained some names along with the gifts they had given the couple and there were plenty of gifts along with some very generous cash prizes

"On the day of their anniversary they spent the morning opening cards and gifts received from family and friends and Sue was presented with a bouquet of roses and a card from John.

"They were also presented with a 'then and now' photo album which I had put together using pictures from meaningful moments here at Handsworth along with pictures that their family had sent in from the past.

"John and Sue really enjoyed looking through both albums and had a huge smile on their faces.

"Once everyone had left, I asked John what the secret of a long marriage was and he simply replied, give and take."