31 July 2023
It’s been a busy time for two retirees at FirstPort’s Poplar Court in Lytham St Annes’s. First moving into the development, then arranging a civil ceremony to show their commitment to each other, and finally hosting a party to celebrate…all within five weeks.
Linda Malcolm, 70, and her partner Alan Campbell, 71, had a civil ceremony at their local registry office across the road from the development and later celebrated the occasion with friends, family, and residents in Poplar Court’s communal lounge.
The Lancashire couple moved to the independent-living retirement development in the weeks before the ceremony. The pair had been attending coffee mornings and events before moving in, which gave them a chance to meet their neighbours and invite them to the party.
Speaking about the celebrations, Linda said:
It was a really nice day, and it couldn’t have gone any better. My son came over and celebrated too. It was a really sunny day, so it was lovely.
Linda and Alan met on the Internet 12 years ago. Alan took early retirement and helped Linda to run her shop on an island off the West Coast of Scotland until they both retired to Lancashire.
Linda added:
“We’d both been married before and a civil ceremony is the same legal standing as a marriage but just a different title. I’ve been this name for over 50 years which is why we decided to have the civil ceremony so that doesn’t change.”
The couple’s friends Chris and John, who now live locally, were their witnesses at the ceremony and they also helped the pair find their flat at Poplar Court.
Valerie Pattinson, FirstPort Development Manager at Poplar Court, said:
“We always try to have plenty of events at Poplar Court for residents to enjoy, but this is the first time in over 25 years that we’ve had a party to mark a marriage.
“It was a wonderful day and I absolutely loved that most of the residents were able to attend and celebrate Linda and Alan’s special day. I wish them all the best, and maybe we can even host some anniversary celebrations next year.”
