Please enjoy this story from the Chronicle, on Cliff and Cath Snowdon, who enjoyed a special Valentine’s Day treat at our Wallsend home.

A couple who have been married for more than five decades enjoyed a romantic candlelit Valentine’s Day dinner after care home staff decided to make their day “a little bit special”.

Cliff and Cath Snowdon, both 79, have been married for 55 years. However, they knew each other long before they tied the knot, having met on Tynemouth Beach when they were both just 15 years old.

Cath moved to a specialist dementia care home, Eothen, near the couples home in Wallsend 14 months ago, and since her move Cliff has missed just a handful of days seeing her. This lunchtime, the loved-up couple were treated to a private, candlelit lunch at Cath’s care home, as they were serenaded with love songs from the 50s and 60s.

Cliff and Cath are as much in love as they were when they were teenagers, and they even walk around the care home hand in hand. They have a daughter, Victoria, 51, and a grandson, Matthew, 12, who also come to visit.

But Wednesday was all about the happy couple. Cliff told ChronicleLive: “It’s a cliché but Cath was one of those people who thought about other people before herself, she would do anything for anybody.

“She was always there not only for family, but her friends as well. She’s a wonderful person.”

“I see Cath every day. I look forward to seeing her every day, but Valentine’s Day is just that extra bit special.

But every day’s special, so Valentine’s day is just a little bit more so!”

Former industrial chemist Cliff admitted he has struggled since Cath moved to Eothen. He said: “I took it badly, being on my own.

“I still suffer because it’s horrible coming into an empty house at night, particularly in the winter. But at least the nights are getting brighter, so I’m hoping things will improve.”

Cliff is at least able to take heart that Cath is in the best place for her. He said: “Cath settled in very early, the staff are magnificent, the facilities are wonderful, and she gets really wonderful care.

“It’s more than just a care home, it’s a family atmosphere and you feel part of that family whenever you visit. I’d like to say a thank you to the staff who are wonderful.”

Christine Henderson, 44, is the home manager at Eothen. She and her team set up the romantic dinner for Cliff and Cath, decorating the table-for-two in the home’s dining room with flowers and chocolates.

Christine told ChronicleLive: “It’s important to celebrate days like this, whatever your age. I think it’s so important that these special days aren’t forgotten.

“Cliff is absolutely dedicated to Cath, he comes in almost every day without fail to see her. They’re very much still a married couple, it’s so lovely – he just adores her.”

Our homes have hit the headlines again!

We are part of a trial to see if air filtering could help reduce cases of illnesses like cold, flu and COVID-19 in care homes.

The AFRI-C trial is being led out of Bristol University, but each of the our three homes is taking part in the study and has state-of-the-art air filtration units – which look a bit like a giant smart speaker – around the premises.

Our amazing Gosforth carer Shereen Brewer is celebrating 20 years at Eothen Care Homes.

Shereen joined us in 2003 as a teenager and has been bringing smiles to the faces of residents and staff alike ever since. She really is a one-off.

Everyone at Eothen, and Gosforth in particular, would like to say a huge thank you to Shereen for all of her hard work and constant enthusiasm.

Here’s to many more years at Eothen!