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Couple meet at day care centre

6/ 5/2008

A COUPLE who found love during a dance at their local day care centre have married.

Sam Marchington and Helen Barker, of Spodden Fold, Whitworth, won’t disclose their ages but admit they are not in the first throes of youth. They tied the knot on Saturday.

They proved that it’s never too late to find romance when they married at Hallfold United Reformed Church on Saturday.

The new Mrs Marchington arrived at the church in style, thanks to a generous offer from an Observer reader.

Chauffeur Michael Rickard, who owns Bentley4Hire, treated the couple to the use of his luxurious blue Bentley Turbo for the afternoon after reading about Sam’s romantic proposal on New Year’s Eve.

The Whitworth Football and Cricket Club compere popped the question to his partner of two years in front of a packed audience just before the clock struck midnight.

The retired couple, who have both been married before, enjoy spending time with their families, including Sam’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren and Helen’s grandsons.

They first met at Whitworth Day Care Centre and Sharon Hughes, day care organiser, was delighted with how their relationship blossomed.

She said: "They wouldn’t like me to say their ages so I’ll just say that they prove you’re never too old for romance.They are a lovely couple and very well suited. They both like a bit of fun.Everyone at the day care centre would like to wish them all the best for their future. We hope that they will be very happy together."

Speaking after they announced their engagement, Sam said: "I suppose you could say that proposing on stage was a brave thing to do, but I had a good feeling that she’d say yes.

"I was on stage waiting for midnight and I just said to her: ‘Will you marry me?’ She was very shocked and overwhelmed, but she was thrilled and immediately accepted. Someone in the audience told me to get down on one knee and propose properly so I did and it was a wonderful moment."

Helen added: "It’s a dream come true. After my husband died nine years ago, I never expected to find someone else, but Sam means the world to me and we’re very happy together."