Northampton couple – who got married after just eight weeks – reminisce ahead of 60th anniversary
A Northampton couple, who got married just eight weeks after they met, have reminisced ahead of their 60th anniversary at the end of the month.
Sylvia and Vic Brew, from Briar Hill, will reach the impressive milestone on October 31 and have been described by a friend as an “outgoing, caring and helpful” pair.
When asked how it feels to approach six decades married, Vic told the Chronicle & Echo: “We can’t believe it, but it doesn’t seem five minutes ago. Time just seems to go so fast. The older you get, the faster time goes.”
The couple met for the first time when Sylvia was completing her nurse training, and Vic apologised for having his back to her. They saw each other again throughout the evening and Vic offered Sylvia a lift home. “That was it,” said Sylvia.
Vic shared the amusing story of his failed proposal, which he had been considering for a couple of days before he intended to pop the question.
He arrived at the club where he planned to propose and spoke to the catering manager about the fact he was getting married – before he had gotten down on one knee.
When Sylvia arrived, she saw the catering manager first and he congratulated her on the engagement.
“Her face wasn’t pleased,” said Vic. “She came into the bar and said ‘I heard you’re getting married’. I replied ‘to you, you silly bugger’.”
The pair moved to Northampton more than 40 years ago, with just one break when they moved near Rugby and ended up turning their property into a home for elderly individuals.
When asked which qualities they admire most about one another, Sylvia said Vic’s ability to make her laugh and Vic praised his wife as the organiser.
As Sylvia’s mobility has lessened, the duo do even more together than before – and they have been by each other’s side since they got married.
Nowadays they spend their time at chair aerobics, bingo and playing scrabble. “We potter along,” said Sylvia.
They look forward to their upcoming family holiday to Portsmouth, to reminisce on when they met. They share one son, two grandchildren and one great granddaughter, who will join them on their trip.