Ken and Brenda tie the knot at Castle Village

Ken Walker and Brenda White became husband and wife at the weekend – at the tender age of 80 and 73 respectively.

After 30 years of living together the Berkhamsted couple decided they couldn’t put it off any longer – it was time to wed.

To help them celebrate the occasion, over 100 friends and family joined the happy couple at a special blessing in the Japanese Garden at their home in Castle Village.

It was a unique occasion for the village, and for the owners of Castle Village, Retirement Villages Ltd – the marriage was the first in the 30 year history of its 13 UK villages.

“We wanted it to be a real party and it was just that,” explained Ken, who met his new wife Brenda while working within the sound industry 30 years ago.

While a neighbour made the wedding cake, another volunteered to run the bar and keep celebrations flowing.

“We opened the ceremony to the village and over 100 people immediately said they were coming,” added Ken. “It is one big family community where people offer to help and wish you well – our living room is full of cards. It’s been an amazing weekend, it couldn’t have been any more special.”

After a whirlwind weekend with the register office ceremony and village blessing, Ken and Brenda are now recharging their batteries on a honeymoon break to the Scilly Isles.

Retirement Villages Ltd has been developing and managing bespoke lifestyle and care villages for the over 55s for 30 years. The pioneers of the UK model, the company now has approaching 2,000 residents living in 13 locations spread across 10 counties in the south of the country. For more information visit the website retirementvillages.co.uk.