‘We never go to bed on an argument’: Couple celebrate diamond wedding anniversary at care home

A care home hosted a party for residents Pam and Hugh Marley, as the couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

The team at Heathfield Court Care Home, in Colyers Lane, Erith, where Pam and Hugh have lived since November, helped the couple mark their 60 years of marriage with an Italian-themed party, on March 14.

With support from the Marleys’ two daughters, Sam Marley, 55, and Teri Marley, 54, Heathfield Court’s hospitality manager, Donna Jewiss, organised a private lunch for the happy couple to enjoy with their family.

Mr Marley, 83, is a former Ministry of Defence engineer. He met his wife at a college dance in 1959, when they were both teenagers, and were married at Bromley Baptist Church in Park Road, Bromley, five years later.

Mrs Marley, 81, said: “I fell for Hugh’s blue eyes and his motorbike, a Matchless 500.

“Our wedding day didn’t get off to the best start as Hugh’s best man had forgotten the wedding rings! Luckily, I was able to borrow a ring from Angela, an old school friend. She also lent me her wedding veil, too. It was full length and I adored wearing it.”

A retired primary school teacher, Mrs Marley did her teacher training in 1985 at Dartford College. After she qualified she taught for 25 years, at Sweyne Junior School in Swanscombe, Kent.

Before her teacher training, Mr Marley worked as a lab technician on the oral polio vaccine, and at a virus research lab, before taking 17 years off to raise their children.

During the party the couple were serenaded by Italian singer Santino Fabrricatore, who later entertained the rest of the residents as they joined in the celebrations.

Mrs Marley said: “The whole day was wonderful, the meal was all our favourite Italian dishes.”

Mrs Marley puts the success of her marriage down to the couple being able to “agree to disagree”.

She said: “We have always had a lot of respect for each other, and though we don’t always agree on everything, it’s our rule that we never go to bed on an argument.”

Heathfield Court Care Home is a residential home which specialises in dementia care. 

Mr and Mrs Marley arrived at Heathfield Court Care Home in November 2023, to support Mr Marley who lives with dementia.

Sam, the couple’s eldest daughter, said: “We are very happy with the care Mum and Dad receive. It’s been a huge relief from worrying about them as we know they are being well looked after.”

Pictured top: Back row, Heathfield Court chefs with manager Nicola Martin, front row, Pam and Hugh Marley (Picture: Heathfield Court Care Home)