Persistence wins day (From Warrington Guardian)

Persistence wins day

as couple celebrate

THE thrill of the chase was well worth the effort for one former Barnton man as he prepares to celebrate 50 years of marriage this Saturday.

Brian Healey, 73, captured the heart of wife Eileen with his persistence and their story has developed through the pages of her daily diary ever since.

The pair, who now live in Crewe where they married, spent 37 years living in Barnton during which Brian worked at ICI in Winnington, and they both share fond memories of the village.

Eileen, 71, said: "We loved it very much and would like to have stayed.

"I was a member of the Young Wives' Club there from the day it was formed and most of our closest friends are from Barnton too."

Brian was a popular figure in his role as safety training officer and travelled around the town's ICI plants giving amusing lectures to company workers.

His real passion was for football though and as a renowned figure on the local soccer scene he earned the respect of players and supporters alike with his outward, extroverted approach.

He said: "I really enjoyed doing it and the true highlight was running the line at a UEFA Cup tie in Hungary."

There is only ever one winner in the battle for his affections though, and that is Eileen.

Brian said: "The key to everything is tolerance, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses and working on them.

"Eileen has strengths in all of the departments that matter - she's a great manager and has a flair for identifying people's needs.

"They say that opposites attract and in our case that has worked very well."

Brian and Eileen plan to mark their anniversary with a party along with their two children, Elaine and Andrew, and many of the friends they made from their time in Northwich.