A couple residing at a retirement village in Stow-on-the-Wold said the secret to their 70-year marriage is good food, tolerance, and love.
Antony Brewis, 94, and Sheila Offord, 92, who live in Brio’s Beechwood Park, were treated to a surprise vintage 1926 Bentley ride around Stow-on-the-Wold, organised by Brio Retirement Living development staff on Wednesday, July 24.
The couple married at the Holy Trinity, Brompton in Knightsbridge on the same date in 1954, at noon.
The wedding day saw Ms Offord tie the knot together with her younger sister in a twofold ceremony, suggested by their father to reduce costs.
(Image: Cubed Thinking)
Mr Brewis said: "We met in a youth club in Knightsbridge through Sheila’s friend Caroline – who I was dating at the time.
"Caroline had decided she wanted to 'palm me off' so thought Sheila could do the honours … of which I’m now forever grateful for."
Their relationship was briefly disrupted when Mr Brewis, 21 then, was deployed to Egypt for for the Armed Forces which he promptly resumed once he was back in the UK.
Over the years, the couple shared many homes, including a brief period living on a boat on the River Thames as their first home.
They raised three children, Simon, Amanda, and Michael, in a house in Kensington gifted by Ms Offord's father.
(Image: Cubed Thinking)
Mr Brewis's entire career happened at Rolls Royce, where he started as a junior clerk on £6 a week, but eventually rose to be a showroom manager.
Ms Offord held a position as the secretary for the overseas sales adviser at Harrods.
Mr Brewis said: "We’ve had an exciting life as once the children had left school, we were able to move to Paris with Rolls Royce.
"We were very lucky to travel the world, but our hearts were always at home in the UK.
"We eventually settled in beautiful Pembrokeshire in a house I built for us."
They moved to Beechwood Park seeking tranquil surroundings and additional support in their 90s.
Ms Offord said: “If we can offer any words of wisdom to any young married couples out there, our secret to a long and happy marriage is good food, tolerance and love.”
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