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SARH customers’ diamond joy

SARH News

SARH customers’ diamond joy

Posted on 20th February 2013

A bicycle helped steer Bill Walker on to the path of true love and kept him on course for more than 60 years.

Bill, used a pedal cycle in his courtship of Eileen during the early 1950s – travelling between his home in Haughton and hers in Gnosall.

“He used to cycle over with a bunch of Sweet Williams,” said Eileen “He still uses a bike now to pop to the shops and collect my pension and he’ll often come back with a bunch of flowers in the basket.”

The couple, of Masons Lawn, Impstones, Gnosall, recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary (9 February) with a surprise party at the Red Lion, in Derrington. The following day they received a blessing at St Lawrence Church followed by a family lunch.

One of their sons, Gordon, flew from his US home of Louisiana to join in the celebrations and one of their granddaughters travelled from Scotland.

They even had a message of congratulations from Her Majesty The Queen.

Bill, aged 83 and Eileen, 78, have three children – Gordon, Jane and Peter, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

They first met on a blind date to Newport cinema arranged by Eileen’s brother.

Eileen, also known by her abbreviated maiden name of ‘Griff’, was a former children’s nanny and Bill, originally from Rugeley, was a farm labourer and factory worker.

They moved to a bungalow at one of Stafford and Rural Homes’ independent living schemes 17 years ago after Bill retired from his last job as a service layer for Severn Trent Water.

“We thought we might have to wait a while but a bungalow became available within a few weeks and we began the next chapter of our lives in a new home,” said Bill.

The couple have played an active role in their community – running the Wednesday Club coffee morning and a weekly bingo session for more than ten years.

Their neighbours held a celebration for them in the communal lounge and presented them with a cake.

“It was the best day of my life,” said Eileen. “We had a wonderful anniversary celebration. It was a joy to catch up with friends and relations and share our special event with them.”

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    Stafford and Rural Homes
    Registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society 7852
    Registered with the Regulator of Social Housing L4458 + VAT number: 135524133
    Registered Office: 1 Parker Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 0WP
    • Home
    • About us
      • Our Homes Board
      • What We Do
      • How We Are Run
      • Careers
      • Working with Us
      • Value For Money
    • SARH Customers
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for customers
      • Online Services
      • Get Advice
      • Help us keep you safe
      • In My Community
      • Get involved
      • SARH Home Improvement Programme
    • Helping you live independently
      • Independent Living 55yrs Plus
      • You First Telecare Service
      • You First Wellbeing Service
      • The Alliance Group
      • Services For HAs And Local Authorities
      • You First Blog
    • Find a Property
      • Homes to Rent
      • Homes To Buy – Shared Ownership
      • Independent Living 55yrs Plus
      • SARH developments
      • Shops
      • Garages
    • Commercial Services
      • Telecare, Out of Hours Support and Lone Worker Monitoring
      • Commercial Units
      • Acquiring Land
    • FAQ
    • Contact us
      • News
      • Events
      • Manage Bookings
      • Document search