Love strikes again

9:36am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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HEARTS came up trumps when two Bridport pensioners met across the card table.

Romance blossomed for Roy Lewis, 83, and 79-year-old Pamela Wise during a bridge sessions at Peelers Court sheltered homes.

And they became the town's oldest newlyweds when they tied the knot at the United Church.

Roy worked as contracts manage for Rolls Royce in its aircraft engine division. He moved to Bridport from his home in Pembrokeshire in 2007 after his second wife Violet died.

Pamela, a retired bookshop manageress, came to Bridport four years ago from Worthing with her second husband Les, who died two years ago.

They met in the communal lounge at Peelers Court where Roy asked Pamela to teach him bridge.

"I was playing hard to get but she swept me off my feet," he said.

Pamela said: "That's not right - he chased me from the beginning."

After their first meeting the couple's friendship blossomed and they discovered many common interests - particularly a love of the Dorset countryside.

Said Pamela: "A lot of people these days say "let's live together" but we don't - we wanted to get married.

Said Roy: "We are the wrong generation for that sort of trick. Marriage is a happy estate, I have had two long marriages - and like Pamela I have lost two partners."

In true romantic style Roy got down on one knee to propose.

"I hoped she would give in and she did," he said.

The simple wedding was followed by a reception at the Tiger Inn before the couple jetted off for a honeymoon in Menorca.

They will continue to live at Peelers Court.

"Many happy years together is the plan," said Roy. "Dorset is the place to be for us and Bridport especially."