THE Camelot Lodge care home in Wellington was the venue for diamond wedding celebrations for Frank and Patricia Baker.

The couple marked 60 years of wedded bliss this month – even though the groom’s mother predicted the match would not last long.

The pair met in 1957 at RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland where they were both serving in the Royal Air Force, wed on May Day in 1958, and have four children, nine grandchildren and great-grand-daughter Elisabeth, born on May 6.

Patricia, 79, said: “All our anniversaries have been very memorable but the first one stuck out particularly as my mother in-law said we wouldn’t last long because Frank is so stubborn. I’m delighted to say she couldn’t have been more wrong.”

The Bakers’ diamond wedding celebrations were hosted by Camelot Lodge, a specialist dementia care home, where Frank, 82, is a resident.

Home manager Sam Paddon said: “It was such a privilege to be able to celebrate Frank and Patricia’s diamond wedding with them.

“Sixty years of marriage is a real achievement, and we made sure everyone knew about it with banners and bunting all over the residents’ lounge.

“Their daughter Jacquie made a wonderful cake for them, and we served them both a special lunch and sang Cliff Richard’s Congratulations over the cake and glasses of bubbly.”

Patricia is a welcome and familiar visitor to Camelot Lodge, where she visits Frank most days.

She said she really appreciated the staff team’s help in making their big day so special.