One of the south’s longest-married couples have celebrated their Blue Sapphire 65th wedding anniversary at the care home where they both live.
Great grandparents June and Michael Pipes were naturally the centre of attention as they marked the occasion with a special afternoon tea at Colten Care’s Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Hampshire.
June earlier explained to staff how she proposed to Michael, not the other way round.
She told them she had waited long enough for Michael to ask the question but when his proposal didn’t materialise she took advantage of 1960 being a leap year.
At their Lincolnshire church’s New Year’s Eve party, the vicar asked the congregation what their hopes were for the coming 12 months, to which June replied: “To marry Michael Pipes!”
Companionship Team Leader Jane Bunker said: “This was how Michael discovered her intentions. They were married nine months later in September 1961. Michael said he couldn’t believe he was so lucky to have June as his wife.”
The couple first met at Willersley Castle in Derbyshire where June was an activity organiser for holidaymakers. She remembers seeing Michael ride up to the castle on his push bike with an umbrella having come along to help with local walks.
Asked for their secrets of a long marriage, both said separately that they never argue and that the person who feels strongly about something should get their way.
The couple have three daughters – Debra, Kirsten and Sarah – six grandchildren and five great grandchildren with another on the way.
June and Michael moved to Woodpeckers from their home in Brockenhurst in July 2026.
Reflecting on their care since then and the anniversary celebration, June said: “The staff all make us feel part of a family, all the time. We haven’t had much to do with care homes before and we are so impressed with all the care and support we get in the home.”
Michael said: “We are so impressed with everything that is done for us, not just celebrating our anniversary but every day. A special thank you to the chefs for a lovely afternoon tea and the beautiful cake.”
Home Manager Anna Edwards said: “It was a pleasure to share the celebrations of June and Michael’s anniversary and see how happy they are as a couple. They are a wonderful addition to the Woodpeckers family.”
A blue sapphire anniversary is the traditional name for a 65th wedding celebration. The precious gemstone is said to represent wisdom, loyalty, trust and a long-lasting, strong and steady bond.
According to official records, fewer than one in 50 currently married couples in the UK reach 65 years together.
On reaching the milestone, it is open to friends, family and the couple themselves to apply for a celebratory message from the monarch.
The card the Pipes received from King Charles and Queen Camilla reads: “It gives us great pleasure to send our warmest good wishes to you…We hope your day will be filled with happy memories.”
The tradition of women’s leap-year marriage proposals goes back to 5th century Irish folklore and a legend involving Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick.
Strictly speaking, women were only free to propose to men on Leap Day itself, 29 February, but as time went on some areas let women propose throughout the entire leap year.
