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Lucky break for Spalding's platinum couple




PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper share a kiss on their 70th wedding anniversary at Southernwood House Care Home, Spalding. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW
PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper share a kiss on their 70th wedding anniversary at Southernwood House Care Home, Spalding. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW

A couple from Deeping St Nicholas who are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary together believe they are a model of good luck.

Jack (93) and Audrey (92) Cooper, both now residents at Southernwood House Care Home in Spalding, were surrounded by family, friends and care home staff for their platinum wedding milestone on Tuesday.

A congratulatory card from the Queen, a decorative wall display and a cut-glass plaque from the care home were all too much for Jack who was overcome with emotion, while Audrey preferred to take centre stage by showing off her sharp wit and sense of humour.

PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper with a card from the Queen. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW
PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper with a card from the Queen. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW

Jack, a retired carpenter, said: "I met my wife through my ex-girlfriend because she and Audrey were both housemaids who knew each other.

"So when my ex-girlfriend dumped me, I ended up with Audrey and we were married at Deeping St Nicholas Parish Church in front of about 40 guests.

"Before we got married, I remember coming home to see Audrey for a weekend when I was in the King's Royal Rifle Corps based at Lincoln Barracks.

"I caught the train from Spalding back to Lincoln where, to make sure that I got back to my barracks on time, I ran up Steep Hill and reported back before I was signed off as being absent."

Jack and Audrey have two adopted daughters, Shirley Wright (62), of Newborough, near Market Deeping, and Sue Cooper (58), of Pinchbeck, who have blessed their parents with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper, with daughter Sue and Joanna Cawthorne, of Southernwood House Care Home, Spalding. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW
PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper, with daughter Sue and Joanna Cawthorne, of Southernwood House Care Home, Spalding. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW

Sue said: "Mum and Dad are both special because they brought me and Shirley up as their own daughters.

"They have always been there support us and have always put us first."

Toni Barwell, registered manager of Southernwood House, said: "Jack is an absolute sweetheart, so thoughtful and patient, while Audrey keeps us on our toes.

"They are our only married couple at the home where Audrey is known as "Mother Hen" because there are a couple of residents who she always makes sure are alright.

"She's also a child magnate because she always loves to see children."

When asked for the secret to a long and happy marriage, Jack said: "There are no secrets, it's just luck."

. When Jack and Audrey Cooper were married at Deeping St Nicholas Parish Church on September 25, 1948, the UK was in the process of a public services and cultural revolution.

PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper, with staff at Southernwood House Care Home, Spalding. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW
PLATINUM PAIR: Audrey and Jack Cooper, with staff at Southernwood House Care Home, Spalding. Photo (TIM WILSON): SG-250918-019TW

The post-World War II Labour Government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee launched the NHS at the same time as nearly 500 Caribbean people arrived in Britain on the SS Empire Windrush.

London hosted the 11th Olympic Games, known as the "Austerity Games" as rationing was still in force in Britain.

The first supermarket in Britain was opened by the Co-op in east London, the world's first computer was demonstrated in Manchester and the first Oxfam shop opened in Oxford.



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