Barrie and Joyce, residents of Windmill House Care Home, part of the Runwood Homes group, have a love story that began on New Year’s Eve, 1968, at a hotel dinner dance in Coventry. Barrie, who lived in Watford, and Joyce, from Edgware, arrived separately with their friends, never having met before. By pure chance, their two groups were seated together that evening. From that very first moment, something special sparked – a connection that would last a lifetime.
Before the night ended, Joyce gave Barrie her telephone number. A few days later, Barrie called from a telephone box, only to have Joyce’s mother answer and explain that Joyce was at work. Undeterred, Barrie asked where she worked and what time she finished. When Joyce finished work, she was surprised to find Barrie waiting for her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
Barrie replied simply, “I’m here to take you out on a date.”
Joyce smiled but declined, telling him instead, “You can take me out on the 11th of January – we’ll have dinner at the Dick Turpin.”
It was only the 2nd of January, and Barrie was gutted at the thought of waiting nine whole days, but he agreed.
True to his word, their first date took place at the Dick Turpin. Barrie arrived laden with cakes and bread – something he would continue to do on all their dates.
In July 1981, Barrie and Joyce married. Joyce lovingly made her own wedding dress, and together they bought their first maisonette in Edgware, where they spent 17 very happy years building their life together.
They shared many joys along the way: playing badminton together and even attempting dance classes, though Joyce always said Barrie had two left feet. Barrie’s lifelong love for Norwich City Football Club was another part of their story. Joyce often travelled with him to Norwich for matches, happily spending match time shopping in Debenhams.
In 1997, Barrie and Joyce moved to Norfolk, continuing their life side by side.
In 2019, Joyce was diagnosed with dementia and later moved into Windmill House Care Home. Since that day, Barrie has spent every single day by her side – a true gentleman, completely devoted to the woman he loves.
Barrie often says, “Joyce is one in a million – my one true love – I am very lucky.”
This heartwarming story is being shared as part of Runwood Homes’ company-wide initiative, Valentine’s Takeover at Runwood Homes – a special week dedicated to celebrating love in all its forms, from friendship and companionship to kindness and care across Runwood https://runwoodhomes.co.uk/Homes communities.
