Old romantics

From the Echo, first published Friday 17th Oct 2003.

He may be 87 but old romantic Frederick Stacey was determined to get married again.

And 70-year-old Eileen Biddlecombe only had one word to say when he popped the magic question - "yes!"

Holding hands together and dressed in their finest, the sweethearts married at Ferndown Register Office witnessed by close friends and family before going on for a celebration lunch.

The couple met when Eileen moved into the same block of flats as Frederick in Marlow Drive, Christchurch.

Twice-widowed Frederick was still married at the time to his second wife of 49 years, also called Eileen, who died a short while later.

He said: "I showed Eileen round and when she told me her name I said I was true to another Eileen, but I lost my wife not long after. We never quite made our golden anniversary."

Eileen, who has also been married before, said: "We were just friends at the beginning and it developed from there - we have been going out together for 12 months now.

"Then one day he came and sat next to me, put his arm round me and said `will you marry me?' I immediately said `yes'."

She added: "He's a wonderful romantic - always doing things for me."

Frederick said: "My family were surprised because I had said I would never get married again, but then I thought `why not?' Eileen is extremely good company - a lovely caring lady and we enjoy trips out together.

"She has promised to take care of me and I thought I may as well get married."

The couple have now put their respective flats on the market to buy a home together.

Eileen said: "We decided we would not live together just as partners but get married first - we believe in marriage."

Family celebrated the couple's nuptials by throwing confetti over the pair as they emerged after exchanging their vows.

Frederick's only daughter Sandra Jacques said: "I am delighted - very pleased for them."

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