Note ‘on back of fag packet’ was key to romance
DANCEFLOOR MEETING LED TO 65 YEARS OF HAPPY MARRIAGE
A NAME scribbled on the back of a cigarette packet was key to romance for a couple who have just celebrated 65 years of marriage.
When Bob Flower set eyes on his future wife Everlide on a Radcliffe dancefloor it was love at first sight.
“We met at the Saturday village dance in the village hall, Radcliffe.
“She was as pretty as a picture and I knew that night I intended marrying her.
“It was just a matter of convincing her the same!”
Bob, 87, added: “Our first date was at the Victoria Ballroom, Nottingham.
“I knew I would never remember her name ‘Everilde’ so I wrote it on a Woodbine cigarette packet… which I still have!”
The unusual method obviously worked as the couple were married on October 22, 1955, at St Peter’s, East Bridgford.
Everilde was born in 1933 in East Bridgford and was brought up from a child by Mr and Mrs Hunt, her uncle and aunt. Mr Hunt was a well-known haulage contractor and coal merchant in the village.
Bob was born on Bailey Lane, Radcliffe-on-trent, and the couple still live in the village.
Bob’s parents owned a grocery shop on Bingham Road in Radcliffe.
Bob worked for the GPO/POST Office Telephones/bt for more than 40 years before retiring from BT in 1990 after progressing through to management and ending as East Midlands public relations and media liaison manager.
He then went on to qualify as a wedding photographer and covered over 400 weddings.
He has also played many parts in plays and sung in musicals as well as enjoying after-dinner speaking.
The couple share a passion for Nottingham Forest where Bob has been a season ticket holder since 1947 and Everilde since 1990.
They have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Rory, who was born 50 yards from where Bob was born on Bailey Lane.
Bob reflected on the copule’s lasting romance and said: “I have had a wonderful and interesting life helped every step of the way by Everilde.”
He added: “My advice to others is to love and cherish each other, never argue and fall out, just have a difference of opinion.
“Always kiss good night and be thankful you have each other in the morning.
“Be grateful for your friends. They help when times are difficult.”
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