70 years of love
Great-grandparents Jill and Eddie Dinshaw, residents at Hampton House in Solihull, were taken on a trip back in time to mark their 70th wedding anniversary, surrounded by friends and family.
Hampton House staff went to special effort to recreate as many of the elements of Jill and Eddie’s wedding as possible, who originally got hitched a stone’s throw away from the house, at Knowle Parish Church, on 17th September 1955.
Having met at a dance in Hall Green, where Eddie was a trumpet player in the band, the couple had their first date to see The Dambusters at Olton Cinema. The rest, as they say, is history, and Jill and Eddie tied the knot after Eddie had completed his national service in the Royal Engineers. The ceremony was followed by a reception – the very first event to be held at the newly-built Bentley Heath Community Hall – and a honeymoon in Snowdonia.
Jill went on to become a district nurse, while Eddie pursued a successful career in the British Motor Company, later founding his own printing business. Eddie kept up with his music throughout his life, later mastering the keyboard and playing at Solihull hospital and in local care homes. Jill and Eddie both completed many years of service as volunteers at the hospital, only stopping in 2020 when volunteering was halted due to the pandemic.
To celebrate their Platinum Anniversary, the couple were joined by their two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as their fellow Hampton House residents and staff. The house’s dining room and lounge were decked out to resemble their wedding reception, a buffet and musical entertainment were laid on, and the couple cut a horseshoe-shaped cake which was specially commissioned to match the style of their original wedding cake.
Jill and Eddie also received a special card from HM King Charles to congratulate them on the wonderful occasion, and the celebrations happened to coincide with a visit to Hampton House from Saqib Bhatti, the MP for Meriden and Solihull East for Starts at Home Day. The MP joined in with the festivities for a game of Play Your Cards Right, where Jill and Eddie were the pictures on the queen and king cards!
Jill and Eddie later continued their Platinum Anniversary celebrations with another party for their wider family, which was attended by Maureen McDonald and Susan England, who were bridesmaids at their wedding 70 years ago.
Learn more about Hampton House
Hampton House in Solihull offers high-quality, modern one and two-bedroom Independent Living apartments, featuring private entrances and modern kitchens, which residents are encouraged to furnish and personalise. The house promotes a strong community spirit through communal dining and lounge areas, a hair salon, a landscaped garden, and a range of organised activities. Two home-cooked meals are provided daily, and residents benefit from on-site Abbeyfield staff (9 am-6 pm daily), 24/7 emergency support, and the option to arrange additional care services.
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