Care home couple aged 85 and 91 marry in Wiltshire

An 85-year-old care home resident has married his 91-year-old sweetheart after dating for 26 years.

Peter Smirles and Jean Robson were married on 23 February at The Cedars in Purton, Wiltshire after their wedding plans were repeatedly postponed because of the pandemic.

But unfortunately, Mr Smirles’ health began to deteriorate just after Christmas and his doctor advised the ceremony should happen sooner rather than later.

The manager of the home Amy Thorne contacted Wiltshire’s superintendent registrar Sarah Bradley who secured a special license to enable the wedding to take place within the home while colleagues helped Ms Robson and her daughters Alison Buckland and Susan Wyths to ensure a ceremony to remember and Covid-safe wedding took place.

The new Mrs Smirles said: “It was lovely that so many people put in so much effort to make sure this could happen. We have been planning this for so long, but it seemed it might never happen. Peter actually first proposed to me about 25 years ago, but I said, ‘why rush’ and then it never seemed to happen.

“Amy and her team have been so good to make this happen, and The Cedars looked lovely today.”

Mr Smirles who had been dating Ms Robson for 26 years said: "What can I say but I love her?"

Risk assessments took place to ensure the wedding could be carried out in a Covid-safe way.

The bride’s daughters witnessed the marriage while Mr Smirle's daughter and granddaughter watched by a video call from their home in Norway.

Daughter Alison Buckland said: “It has been hard on my mum and Peter, but I can’t thank Amy and Sarah enough for making this happen. It means so much to my mum and to the whole family.”

Ms Thorne was able to get Peter Smirles' bubble together and have a stag do in the home the night before.

All visitors to the home had to take a lateral flow test and wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.

Ms Thorne said: “I only started as manager here at The Cedars in January and this was about the first thing I was asked to do and we have been delighted to make sure it goes ahead. We managed to get Peter’s bubble together and have a beer or two for a stag do the night before as well.

“The organisation of the wedding has been challenging but we worked through the risk assessments and with our infection control experts to make sure that it was as safe as it could be.”

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