Brief Encounter’s Margaret Barton ties the knot

Former film actress, Margaret James, aged 92, tied the knot with Rob Cave, 91, giving the couple a combined age of 183 and possibly making them the oldest newlyweds in Dorset.

The couple were married in Wimborne Minster on 31 August, with the service conducted by the Revd Suzie Allen.

Margaret’s matron of honour was Rob’s daughter Julia Palmer, and best man was Barry Smith, a long-time former work colleague of Rob’s.

Margaret and Rob were widowed within three months of each other, having both been married for 66 years to Raymond and Mavis respectively. Both have also lost a son.

Margaret’s son Michael was formerly assistant organist at Wimborne Minster and following his death the Michael James Music Trust was set up in his memory.

Margaret and Rob are well-known members of the Minster congregation and around 150 friends gathered to join in with the celebration of their marriage.

An afternoon tea reception was held in the Methodist church coffee lounge.

Margaret who claims she ‘was never a film star’ made her first film as a teenager. Her role as Beryl Walters, the tearoom assistant in David Lean’s classic film Brief Encounter earned her a place in British cinema history.