Carrick Manor care home helps couple celebrate 65th wedding anniversary

Robert and Maureen Heddles were treated to a surprise afternoon tea for two at Carrick Manor care home, where Robert is a resident.

“Mum is now dad’s ‘care buddy’ and gets a Covid test every week so she can visit him,” said the couple’s daughter Gillian Conlane.

“We wanted to do something to allow them to celebrate their 65th anniversary but we really couldn’t have done it without the help of the management in the home.

“They were just brillant. They decorated up a private day room downstairs, which meant that although the family couldn’t be inside with them, we were able to look through the window and share the occasion that way.

“It was sad that we could not be inside with them, but it all worked out very well.

“They decorated the room just for them and the best china was out. There was music and flowers, along with celebration balloons. It was all just lovely even though they had to be two metres apart.

“The management at the home really helped so much to make the event special for them. Without their help we couldn’t have done anything.

“Neither mum or dad knew about it in advance and they were really surprised. They were so chuffed,” said Gillian.

While Robert and Maureen enjoyed their socially distanced celebration indoors , Gillian and her two brothers Stephen and Jeffrey, along with some other family members, joined them outdoors.

The couple were married in Joymount Presbyterian Church on March 27, 1956, with Robert’s brother Jim as best man and Maureen’s sisters Lily and Sadie as bridesmaids.

They have three children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.