Betty and Fred Aldred with relatives, friends and staff at Colten Care’s Fernhill home
Fred and Betty Aldred celebrated a right royal 60th wedding anniversary at a Dorset care home.
The Queen sent a special congratulatory message to the couple who marked the diamond event with a party for friends and relatives.
Betty, who lives with dementia, is a resident at Colten Care’s Fernhill home in Longham near Bournemouth while Fred lives at Colten Care’s Kingfishers in New Milton.
The couple, who have two children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild, met in the early 1950s at the hospital where Betty worked as a nurse.
Fred was in the Metropolitan Police and persuaded Betty to go on a date. He proposed 18 months later and they were married in Ilford.
In 1960 they moved to Hertfordshire where they raised their two daughters and after retiring they relocated to Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire.
Betty, 83, moved into Fernhill nearly two months ago and has had a new lease of life. Fred, 84, visits as often as he can.
He said: “We’ve had some rough times and some smooth times but in the end we always end up best of friends.”
Daughter Mandy added: “Colten Care has done them proud, there has been such a change in mum since she’s been there.
“Dad has always worshipped the ground she walks on and to see them so happy again is wonderful.”
Karen Grant-A’Court, Fernhill’s activity organiser, said: “Betty has settled in really well and we want to congratulate them both on their 60th wedding anniversary.”
Staff at Fernhill helped the couple celebrate their anniversary with a bottle of bubbly and two cakes.
