Anniversary joy for devoted Pam and Tony at The Aldbury
A devoted couple who live at the same dementia care home have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in style thanks to their carers.
Pam and Tony Husband enjoyed some well-deserved pampering with a beautifully presented romantic candlelit meal in a garden hideaway at The Aldbury in Poole, Dorset.
They moved to the home two years ago and are the only married couple currently residing there.
Their private meal was held in the garden summerhouse, called The Retreat, one of their favourite places at The Aldbury.
Tony wore his best dinner jacket matching a colourful shirt and tie. Pam had her hair done specially and chose to wear pink as she remembered wearing a pink dress on their first date back in the 1960s.
After a glass of French wine each to start, Pam dined on Dover Sole while Tony had a blue steak.
The dishes, accompanied by potatoes and green vegetables, were brought over to The Retreat and presented personally by The Aldbury Chef Neil Fletcher.
Also serving was Companionship Team member Melissa Siat, who escorted them all the way to their table and made sure they had everything they wished for on their date.
Melissa, who dressed as a French waitress, said: “They really enjoyed their garden walk and picked some of the colourful autumn leaves on their way.
“Their faces lit up when they walked into The Retreat. We had decorated it with candles, heart shaped balloons and a Happy Anniversary banner. We also made sure there was jazz music playing in the background which was a special request from Tony.
“Once they were sitting at the table, he surprised Pam with a bunch of flowers that he had picked from the garden the day before and a box of chocolates.
“The date brought back a lot of lovely memories for them. Tony started to remember the time they had a date at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester. Pam said they didn’t have much money then and her generous mum offered to pay for their meal.”
The conversation carried on when Melissa asked them both if they felt like love at the first sight when they first met.
Tony said: “Yes, I found her a very interesting lady then and she still is now.”
Pam said she didn’t fall in love with Tony in the first place but it grew within a short time.
Tony also told Pam: “Enjoy the date today and wait for the next.”
After they had eaten, both Pam and Tony said it had been their “best meal for a long time”.
Pam then asked Tony to order Chef Neil a bottle of wine to show their gratitude, saying: “It was all perfectly cooked and presented.”
Given pride of place in The Aldbury’s garden and officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Poole, Pete and Katie Miles, in summer 2024, The Retreat serves as a private space for birthday parties and relatives’ visits. It also hosts activities such as arts and crafts sessions and meetings of the residents’ gardening club.
Melissa added: “Both Pam and Tony love the summerhouse. It’s an ideal place to spend time watching the birds or looking at the flowers and trees around the garden, specially at this time of the year with all the autumn colours.
“Tony came up with the name, The Retreat, ahead of the opening with the Mayor and Mayoress. He said it felt like a retreat to him the first time he walked in.”
The Aldbury Home Manager Martin Corrigan said: “We are so happy to have enabled this lovely, devoted couple to remake happy memories and reminisce on their time spent together. It was truly special occasion to celebrate.”