Northampton couple celebrate 65 years of marriage with special dinner put on by retirement home staff

A Northampton couple celebrated their sapphire wedding anniversary with a meal put together by the staff at their retirement home - and a surprise video call with their Australia-based daughter.

Cyril and Geraldine Stewart were joined by their friends and fellow residents at Richmond Northampton for dinner in the complex's restaurant to mark 65 years of marriage on September 3.

As visiting restrictions are still in place at the Bridge Meadow Way retirement village, staff organised the event, complete with a decorated top table featuring balloons, their wedding photos and flowers.

The village team also arranged the unexpected Zoom chat with their daughter, Helen, so that she could be part of the festivities.

Geraldine, 91, said: “We feel very lucky to have been made such a fuss of on our special day.

"It’s been a wonderful 65 years together and it was lovely to celebrate with our friends here at Richmond Northampton and the staff went above and beyond, we’re so very grateful.”

After tying the knot in Somerset in 1955, Cyril, 96, and Geraldine moved to Western Favell three years later.

Cyril worked for Shell oils, however he also followed his passion for the arts and was a founding member of the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust, known today as NMPAT.

Geraldine was a secretary for many years before committing herself to family life and raising their daughters, Helen and Claire.

The Stewarts moved to Richmond Northampton in 2015, after deciding they needed additional support and could no longer manage a property themselves.

Now living together in an assisted living suite, they enjoy spending time with their friends at choir practice and the 'knit and natter' group as well as attending Sunday services and quiz nights.

Chris Rayatt, head of activities at Richmond Villages Northampton, added: “We had a fantastic day celebrating Cyril and Geraldine’s 65th wedding anniversary, it was great to see the residents come together to toast the happy couple.

"With visiting restrictions still in place, we wanted to make sure Cyril and Geraldine still celebrated reaching this milestone together and it meant the world to see them so happy.

"Cyril and Geraldine are an inspiration to us all, I’m honoured to have been part of their special day.”