Love was in the air at an Altrincham care home for two residents celebrating a special milestone

Love was truly in the air at an Altrincham care home when two residents celebrated a special milestone.

90-year-old, Ernest Collins and his wife 91-year-old, Jean both residents at Care UK’s Halecroft Grange, on Hale Road, toasted their 65^th wedding anniversary in style.

Ernest and Jean first met at a local dance hall in Sale and would see each other whenever Ernest returned home on leave from the RAF while completing his national service.

In February 1959, Ernest and Jean bought their first house together in Timperley for £1,500 and a month later, on the 30^th March, the happy couple were married at St Joseph’s Church in Sale. They had the reception at the Parkhouse Hotel and Jean’s father who was a baker and confectioner did the catering.

Jean said: “The weather was sunny when I woke up, but the clouds came over and it was so dark. We had to take all our pictures with the flash!”

Together the happy couple have three children, Michael, Christine and Marie, who all visit the couple regularly at Halecroft Grange.

When asked about the secret to a happy marriage Jean said: “Learn to compromise, understand that you can’t always have your own way and always look out for each other.”

Suzanna Sumegi, General Manager at Halecroft Grange, said: “We were delighted to help Ernest and Jean celebrate 65 years of marriage, surrounded by their loved ones.”

“Here at Halecroft Grange, we know how important it is to celebrate all life’s milestones, big and small. This was a very special day for Ernest and Jean, and we loved raising a glass to their long and happy marriage – we can learn a lot from their wise words and many years of marriage.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Halecroft Grange, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been configured into a series of neighbourhoods to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.