Elderly sweethearts wed after finding love in their 80s
Love is just as lovely the second time around for sweethearts Elizabeth and Brian Nickless who have married in their 80s.
Both newlyweds were married for 60 years to other people before taking the plunge again. They met at a nursing home in Cannock when visiting their partners, who died within months of each other in 2015.
They continued their friendship until Brian, 83, decided to take it a step further and propose – and couldn't have been happier when Elizabeth, 86, known as Bet, said 'yes'.
"It's not just companionship, like most people think," said the retired gas fitter. "We're madly in love."
The pair, who have eight grandchildren between them, had been out bird-watching on Cannock Chase before Brian made his romantic gesture.
"I invited her back to my bungalow for some lunch, cheese and tomato on toast, and afterwards she was sitting in the easy chair looking out at the birds in my back garden.
"She said: 'It's so peaceful sitting here, I do love it' and I said 'You could come and sit here every afternoon if you wanted.' She said 'What do you mean?' and I said 'I'm asking you to marry me'.
"I hadn't planned to propose but it just seemed right. We first met at a the MRI Club in Stafford 40 years ago and knew there was something special about her."
At the Cannock Registry Office ceremony, Brian's son Simon Nickless acted as his best man while Bet's son-in-law Tony Cummings gave away the bride and her daughter Sylvia was matron of honour.
Slyvia, 59, said: "It was absolutely wonderful and very emotional. My mum was saying she was quite emotional and it gets everybody going else going.
"It was a big thing after the death of my dad. But it was just a perfect day.
"When Brian proposed, she phoned me and asked me how I would feel. We gave her our blessing straight away."
Bet, originally from Scotland, settled in Cannock in 1964 spent time in general nursing and also worked in a factory. Brian, a keen fisherman, has lived in the town all his life.
Instead of a wedding party and honeymoon the pair have something more peaceful in mind for now, with a few days out planned when the weather gets warmer.
"They just wanted to sit at home and enjoy what they have," said Sylvia.
"I think for them it's going to be an early night and a cup of coco. They are both pretty exhausted."
Elizabeth has moved into Brian's bungalow in Cannock and they spent their first evening together under the same roof on their wedding night.
