Happily married couple Sid, age 92, and Patricia Hirst, age 88, are spending Valentine’s Day for the first time in Hartsholme House, after moving into the home run by the Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) in July. The couple met in Sedbergh on New Year’s Eve 1949 and married in March 1952.

Patricia was evacuated to Sedbergh at the age of six. She was 17 when she first met Sid. He travelled from Leeds to Sedbergh every two weeks until they married when he moved in with Patricia and her father.

The couple who have two children, four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren lived in and around Bradford and Bingley for many years before moving to Hartsholme House after six years in a dedicated retirement flat.

Both agreed that the secret to a long marriage was tolerance and mutual love. They moved to the Lincoln care home as poor health made it harder to cope living in the flat. Staying together when they moved into Hartsholme House was as essential to their move as every other home move they had made.

Head of Care, Conny McGowan said: “Pat and Sid are absolutely devoted to each other. It’s wonderful to see them settled at Hartsholme House and enjoying the activities here. As a home we will celebrate love in all its forms this Valentine’s Day with flowers and hearts and special activities for our residents.”