A CREDITON man gave his wife a Valentine’s card on February 14 – the same card he has given to her for the past 60 years!

John Gooding first gave the card to Elsie 60 years ago, who he married 59 years ago this July, when she was recuperating in a convalescent home in Moretonhampstead following an operation.

John, paid 2/6d for the card, a lot of money in those days, and travelled by bus to visit Elsie, the love of his life.

He had met Elsie when she went to work at Bristow’s Sweet Factory in Crediton, and was so taken with her, that he booked her on the works coach outing and paid for her to make sure she went!

So began their romance, and less than two years later they were married at the High Street Chapel in Crediton.

Elsie took John to the Crediton Methodist Church, where they became regular worshippers and John is now a well-known Lay Preacher in the area.

Before going into the Army John had been a member of Crediton Parish Church Choir.

It was Elsie who was adamant that her first Valentine card was so beautiful and had such a loving message from John, that she never wanted a different one.

Now, every Valentine’s morning, John gives her a cup of tea, a loving kiss and the Valentine’s card, together with a bunch of red roses… as he has done for the past 60 years.

In July, 2017, the couple will have been married for 60 years.

Since the High Street Chapel closed some years ago, they now worship at Crediton Congregational Church.

John laughingly says that even in those days he was into re-cycling, and gives the card as a great example!

Margaret Tucker