The sun shone, the guests were dressed in their finery, and the happy couple exchanged loving glances. But this was no ordinary wedding ceremony.
Brian and Maureen Greengrass both live at Mayflower Court, NorseCare’s care home at the Bowthorpe Care village in Norwich. The home provides care and support for people living with dementia. Brian and Maureen moved into the home together in April 2016.
Mayflower Court has a wishing well – where ideas, thoughts and wishes are added by residents, families and staff. Usually it’s a small wish like a nostalgic film to watch, a bunch of flowers for their room or an ice cream on a sunny day, but one day, when Brian and Maureen were chatting, one of the care team at the home overheard Brian say how much he loved his wife and how he would ‘marry her all over again’. Brian and Maureen were originally married at St Catherine’s Church in the Mile Cross area of Norwich in 1967.
That wish prompted the Activities team at the home to go into full on ‘wedding planning’ mode, setting up a ceremony with the vicar from the local church, organising a cake, creating a wedding venue in the garden of the home, finding an entertainer – all the usual things.
On the day, the sun shone, other residents at the home gathered in the garden and listened as Rev Mark Elvin from Bowthorpe church led the ceremony, playing his guitar and blessing the couple. Mr and Mrs Greengrass’ son assisted Maureen from her room to the arch in the garden, where Brian was waiting. After the ceremony, the happy couple posed for photographs with their son and the staff from the home. Brian and Maureen enjoyed a glass of fizz and cut the cake which was shared with other residents while an entertainer provided music for everyone.
Sandra Drake, Activities and Events Co-ordinator at the Bowthorpe Care Village explained: “it really was a beautiful day. Maureen looked beautiful as all brides do on their special day and Brian was a really proud groom. The care team at Mayflower Court really pulled out all the stops to make it a lovely day.”
