Golden Memories at The Duke

50 years ago this lovely couple had their wedding reception here at The Duke of Cornwall Hotel, this month they returned to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary!

When asked how their return to The Duke was: “The hotel is exactly how we remembered it – apart from the revolving doors, they are new. We stayed in a lovely suite that our boys booked for us, the food was lovely and we couldn’t fault a thing. We chose the hotel for our reception simply because it is such an iconic hotel, even back then and it has stood the test of time – how wonderful to be a part of such history”

They met at a dance hall in Union Street, as so many couples did back then, and their romance blossomed. Mrs Smale was the one to pop the question… “I suggested it, not him” – take note ladies…this happy couple have been happily married for 50 years now, maybe you should pop the question too!

When we asked Mrs Smale the thing she remembered most from their reception here 50 years ago “Probably not the kind of memory you were looking for but when we sat down for our wedding breakfast, the lovely waitress who was dishing out the Roast Potatoes managed to pour all of them on my lap! To me it was funny, no use getting upset over spilt potatoes!”

We had to know their secret so we asked Mrs Smale her top tip for a long and happy marriage “You have to learn to compromise in a relationship, give and take is the key”.

Thank you so much to Mr and Mrs Smale for taking the time out to talk to us and letting us do this feature on their wonderful marriage that started at the Duke. We loved welcoming you back and we are so glad to hear it was everything you hoped and more (spuds included!)

Congratulations from all of the team. Here’s to the next 50!