Chance encounter led to lifetime of love for Corby couple

When 15-year-old Ann Mullen went to the bi-weekly dance at the Corby-Uppingham Boys’ Club, she caught a glimpse of a handsome young man recently demobbed from the RAF - Andy Mullen, her future husband.

She said: “I saw this handsome man across the dance floor and I thought to myself - I’ll have that!”

But it was Andy who made the first move.

Andy had just returned from Germany where he had spent his two-year National Service.

Although Ann’s parents thought at 20 Andy was too old for their daughter, the pair became an item a year later, got engaged a year after that and finally married when she was 18.

Andy, now 88, and 83-year-old Ann will celebrate their ‘blue sapphire’ wedding anniversary today (Wednesday, July 24), after 65 years of marriage.

Ann remembered: “We got married at The Church of Scotland on Occupation Road at midday.

“It was a beautiful day and we had our reception in the Raven Ballroom on Rockingham Road - people danced until midnight but we’d already left for our honeymoon near Margate.”

After tying the knot, Ann moved from her parents’ house in Studfall Avenue to set up home with Andy in Eskdale Avenue where they had their three children; Sandra, Andy and Sharon.

Andy was working for Stewarts & Lloyds in the dragline quarries, but it was his first aid qualifications which led to his next career choice.

Ann explained: “Andy had been working on the huge draglines in the quarries. They were massive - so big you could fit a double-decker bus in the scoop.

“But he had also been a first aider and as we lived near the ambulance station he fancied working on the ambulances so that’s what he did.”

Ann meanwhile worked in the Studfall Post Office and shop, then Fosters Menswear in the town centre, finally finishing up at Dorothy Perkins.

Retirement allowed the couple to follow their passion for travel with multiple cruises around the Mediterranean.

With nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren Ann and Andy have a large happy family.

Ann, who has been nursing Andy with help from carers, added: “I’ve got no regrets. We had holidays abroad and lots of cruises and we’ve had a nice, happy life.

“We’ve had our ups and downs but we’ve always been there for each other.

“We’ve got great family and friends.”