Care home residents who 'accidentally found love' become Britain's oldest newlyweds

With a combined age of 165, Peter Barratts and Nancy Evans recently tied the knot in their hometown of Chard, Somerset, making them Britain’s oldest newlyweds.

The 82-year-old former engineer and his now wife, an 83-year-old retired secretary, first met at a group meeting at their local church in 2013, near Ms Evans' residence, St Gilda's.

Almost immediately, Mr Barratts knew he wanted to marry Ms Evans, and after just three months proposed to her, despite not being able to get down on one knee.

"The whole ceremony was absolute magic," the couple said. "We were so grateful to all the staff and management for allowing us to have our special day there.

"We particularly wanted all the St Gilda’s staff and residents to be fully involved as we were all such a close community and they have made Peter so welcome.

"The carers and staff especially made it a lovely day all round and the whole of Chard town has been involved in the publicity and really put Yarlington’s St Gilda’s on the map."

'The Savoy couldn’t have beaten it'

Initially, the grandmother of nine declined the proposal, fearing she would lose her independence. But for two years Mr Barratts persisted, taking her for romantic meals and buying her flowers every week.

After describing Mr Barratts as "a dog with a bone", Ms Evans realised she loved him and accepted his proposal in January this year.

The couple, who live at separate care homes a mile apart, wed in their local catholic church on Easter Monday by Father Basil, where Ms Evans’ grandson gave her away in front of 80 members of their friends and family.

They requested the reception to be held at St Gilda’s, a Yarlington Housing Group Extra Care scheme.

Care worker Jenny Simons organised the special day with the help of her husband Brian, while carer Pat Wallis agreed to be the photographer.

Shortly after the wedding day, the couple travelled to Weston-super-Mare where they shared a suite in the Premier Inn for their honeymoon.

Although the whole event cost only £600, the bride insisted "The Savoy couldn’t have beaten it."

'Every time I look at him we giggle'

The couple are now "very much in love" but still reside in separate care homes.

Ms Evans, a mother of three, said: "I was happy in my life before I met Peter and I didn’t want a man. I like my own space and I wasn’t looking for love but I have accidentally found it."

She continued: "I had been on my own for 20 years but I just happened to see this chap looking over at me at church club.

"It took me about two years to accept, but then we got engaged. I’m very happy now and everybody loves Peter. Every time I look at him we giggle and we love being close."

Yarlington St Gilda’s scheme manager, Chris Palmer, added: "It was an honour to facilitate the wedding celebration of two truly lovely people so universally liked by all residents who took part in the proceedings."

Located just a 10-minute walk from Chard town centre in Somerset, St Gilda’s offers 35 units of self-contained, one-bedroomed accommodation. There is a communal lounge, laundry room, bathroom (with hoist) and staff sleep-in room. There is also a communal kitchen which is used to prepare the daily midday meals.

click here for more details or to contact Abri