Residents Don and Deanna have celebrated a very special milestone at Astley View Care Home in Chorley – their 65th wedding anniversary.
The couple marked their Blue Sapphire Anniversary surrounded by family and the team at Astley View, with an anniversary cake, a family gathering and a special congratulatory card from Their Majesties The King and Queen.
Their story began more than six decades ago, with handwritten letters travelling between Lancashire and Torquay and long journeys by motorbike to spend time together.
Don was working as an electrician at Chisnall Colliery alongside Deanna’s brother, Ronald, when Ronald mentioned that his sister was living in Torquay with their parents.
Before long, Don and Deanna had started writing to each other and their exchange of letters developed into a long-distance romance.
With hundreds of miles between them, seeing each other took some planning. Deanna would travel north from Torquay on the back of a motorbike with her brother Harold, staying with Ronald while she spent time with Don.
From Torquay to married life in Lancashire
In September 1961, Don and Deanna married at the Old Parish Church in Coppull.
They returned to Torquay for their honeymoon and made their first home there, welcoming their first child before eventually returning to Lancashire.
Don continued working as an electrician, while Deanna set up her own hairdressing business in Coppull.
From those first letters and motorbike journeys came a marriage that has now spanned 65 years.
Celebrating 65 years of marriage at Astley View Care Home
Don and Deanna celebrated their anniversary at Astley View with the team, enjoying an anniversary cake before spending time with their family in the home’s private dining room.
There was also a special delivery to mark the occasion – a congratulatory card from Their Majesties The King and Queen recognising their 65 years of marriage.Christina Durnan, Home Manager at Astley View, said:
“We loved hearing how Don and Deanna’s love story began, particularly the letters they exchanged and Deanna’s motorbike journeys from Torquay to Lancashire to see Don.
“It was lovely to be able to celebrate their 65th anniversary with them and to see them enjoying such a special day with their family.
“Sixty-five years of marriage is an incredible milestone, and the card from The King and Queen made the occasion even more memorable. Everyone at Astley View wishes Don and Deanna a very happy anniversary.”
