Mick and Mary celebrate 60 years - and a new chapter together
Lovebirds Mick and Mary recently celebrated their diamond anniversary surrounded by their friends at Grovelands residential, respite and dementia care home in Yeovil.
It all began with a blind date
Mick, a 21-year old merchant seaman and cook on the MS Athlone Castle, met 18-year-old Mary when he was docked in Southampton, in 1965. His best friend at the time was dating Mary’s friend, Liz, and persuaded Mick and Mary to go on a blind date together.
After catching the bus to Southampton with Liz, Mary went on her first date with Mick at the ice rink. Recollecting the occasion to the Grovelands care team, Mick said he knew he wanted to marry Mary within an hour of meeting her.
Romance blossomed, with the pair corresponding by letter upon Mick’s return to ship, and, sure enough, the couple were married within the year, declaring their wedding vows at St Mary’s Church in Bishopstoke, in 1966.
A new life together
After their wedding, Mick left the merchant navy and worked as a roof tiler, before taking a job on the railway. Meanwhile, Mary took employment in a cake shop and toy shop, before becoming a supervisor at a local garden centre.
Mick and Mary have always enjoyed travelling – everything from UK holidays in the caravan with their children, Alan, Lisa and Kerry, to seeing the sights on no less than 13 cruises together around the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Southern Hemisphere.
The couple adopted many rescue dogs over the years. Their latest rescue dog, Lucky, who now lives with Lisa, is a much-loved regular visitor to Grovelands.
The next chapter – together
Moving into Grovelands together in October 2025 launched the next chapter of married life for Mick and Mary, who now enjoy the reassurance of tailored care, alongside the ability to continue with their respective hobbies and interests.
For Mary, this is her passion for horses. Having helped care for their daughter’s champion dressage, show jumping and cross country horses over the years, it is no surprise that photographs and rosettes of their achievements take pride of place in her room.
The Grovelands garden also provides the ideal canvas for Mary to employ her vast knowledge of plants and horticulture, garnered from her years spent managing garden centres.
As well as spending time in the garden with Mary, Mick loves sports, and can often be found watching the football, Formula 1 and the Grand Prix.
Whilst the couple have completely different tastes in food, they enjoy dining together every day, without either being responsible for the cooking or washing up!
The couple visited several homes before deciding upon Grovelands as the right place to share their next chapter together – somewhere they can be independent, active and make new friends, whilst continuing to enjoy quality time as a couple.
Care that keeps couples together
Grovelands offers day care, respite breaks, residential care and specialist dementia support, all within a purpose-built and homely environment.For more information about Grovelands, or advice about award-winning care across the Somerset Care Group, please call our friendly team of expert care advisors on 0808 1680 451, or click on the buttons below.
