INTRODUCING Mr and Mrs Weaver, proving that age is no barrier to a second chance at love after they tied the knot on Saturday.

Tom, 86, and Jean, 71 were the picture of happiness during an intimate service at St Augustine’s Church, in Rodbourne, before holding their reception in Morris Street.

The pair’s relationship blossomed after parting company for 15 years, and their former partners’ deaths hitting them hard.

Tom in particular had been close to the edge and contemplated suicide before a phone call from Jean out of the blue.

More than 60 close friends and family across four generations from Wales and Cheltenham came to wish them well at the altar.

“It has been marvellous,” said Tom. “I have been so excited all day and everything is going so fast. We have got nearly all the family here and all the generations, it’s fantastic.

“She has been nervous about it for a while now and got a bit shaky at the altar.”

Jean said: “I was a bit shaky to be honest, but it was a terrific day. My dog Lady was put to sleep recently and cremated but she came along with us and I kept her under my seat in the church.

“We had some of my favourite songs played, the Power of Love and Love is all Around. It was a traditional wedding and we had the Welsh hymn for Tom as well.

“We are all set to move in together now but we don’t know whose house to choose. I might have to keep him out in the shed to keep him quiet!”

The happy couple will now head to the coast for a 10-day country and western honeymoon.

“We are going on our honeymoon to Brean Sands out in Somerset,” said Tom. “We love country and western music so we’re going out there to have a bit of a dance.”

Tom and Jean’s family said they had been a little shocked when the news of the engagement broke, but they were very pleased for them.

Gerald Day, 74, Tom’s brother in law, gave Jean away at the altar.

“The ceremony was great, we ran it through in rehearsal, but today Joan was a bit shaky, so I got a bit distracted and missed my cue to put her hand in Tom’s,” he said. “It was a lovely service though.

“The way I look at it is he was close to committing suicide after he lost Joan. When Jean rang up she saved him, and I am so pleased for them both.”

Dawn Stones, 59, Jean’s daughter, said: “It was a surprise when we heard about the engagement, but a nice surprise. He’s a lovely man. Since she met Tom she has been so happy and they are an absolutely lovely couple. She looked gorgeous today. It’s like she’s 16 again. They love each other so much and are both so happy, which is the main thing. I couldn’t ask for any more.”

Elizabeth Harber, 50, Jean’s daughter, said: “The whole thing has made me so happy. I knew they had known each other for a while before this when they were in their previous relationships, and that’s what brought them back together. She had been on her own for a couple of years so obviously this was the right time.

“He is a lovely man and I am very proud to call him my dad.”


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