Staff at Downham Grange organised a Valentine's Day surprise for their only couple
Staff at Downham Grange organised a Valentine's Day surprise for their only couple living together at the nursing home.
Activities coordinator Tracy Nicholls put together a display celebrating the love story of Ken and Betty English with family album shots, including old wedding photographs.
And Julia Vaughan, community champion at Morrisons, in Downham Market, kindly supplied a Valentine's hamper for the lucky couple.
Mrs Nicholls said: "As Ken and Betty are the only couple we have living together at Downham Grange we wanted to make their day really special.
“They had flowers, chocolate, cards, Prosecco, matching glasses and a beautiful bouquet of mixed roses.
“They were overwhelmed by what we had done for them. They thought it was such a lovely surprise."
Mr English, 89, met his future wife, now 88, at a dance hall in West Dereham and recalls that he was instantly smitten.
He said: "I remember that night and knew the moment I met Betty that she would be the woman I was going to later marry."
Their first date included going out on the town to a dance hall.
They would go dancing together once a week and were both keen members of the dance club that was held at their local hall.
The couple went on to marry at West Dereham church on Saturday June 12 1954 they lived in West Dereham for many years.
They ran the village shop at Wereham where Mr English was the postmaster and his wife ran the shop side.
They have two sons, Malcolm and Trevor.
Anna Wojtkowiak, manager of the Kingsley Healthcare home, in Clackclose Road, Downham Market, said: "All credit to Tracy for organising such a lovely occasion. We always strive to go the extra mile for our residents."
Find out more about Downham Grange nursing home