Shropshire couple celebrate 75 years of marriage

Arthur and Rose Howse, who lived for many years in Elkington Close, Newport, celebrated the massive milestone in Berkley Gardens assisted living accommodation in Donnington, Telford, where they now live in one of the flats.

Mr Howse, who will be celebrating his 102nd birthday in March, and his 97-year-old wife, Rose, were married on a chilly morning at St Frances Church, Mere Heath, on January 25, 1942.

Mr Howse said despite the cold weather, the sun shone, snow lay on the ground and they had a wonderful day to remember.

The couple have received their eighth card from the Queen congratulating them on their numerous wedding anniversary achievements, in addition to the one Arthur received on his 100th birthday.

They celebrated the achievement with one or two glasses of wine at lunch while being toasted by the other residents in Berkely Gardens.

Rose and Arthur have two daughters, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In their younger days Arthur was a motor mechanic and went on to train apprentices at Lloyds Garage in Stafford.

Rose trained as a nurse, eventually qualifying as a registered fever nurse. She later went to work as a full time nurse at Newport Cottage Hospital before retiring.

Mr Howse said: "The secret of a happy married life is having a good sense of humour and being able to give and take.

"If you fall out with one another make sure you quickly fall back in!"

He remembers contracting Scarlet fever when he was 10. He was taken to hospital on a horse-drawn ambulance.

Before their recent move to Donnington, Arthur and Rose were regular visitors to the Newport Visually Impaired Persons Association, who presented the happy couple with a signed card and a bouquet of flowers on their special day.