Love bridges a generation gap

Jul 19 2005
Exclusive By Steve Johnson, Evening Mail
Edna Townsend with husband Simon Martin

THE father of a 31-year-old man who has married a 70-year-old widow today said "love will find a way."

Simon Martin proved age was no barrier for love when he married Edna Townsend despite the 39-year age difference.

And although his dad Eric was "shocked and surprised" at the news he said:"They are very much in love and that's all that matters,"

Sixty-nine-year-old Eric, of Sydney Road, Cradley Heath, now has to get use to the fact that he has a daughter-in-law who is actually older than himself.

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Speaking for the first time about the marriage he said :"There is a big age gap but as long as they are happy that is it as far as I am concerned. Love will always find a way.

"Our only regret is that we shall never have any grandchildren because our son Simon is our only child," added former Land Rover worker Eric.

Edna, who has two children and three grandchildren from her previous marriage, married organist Simon at Weston-super-Mare register office last week. The unlikely couple are now honeymooning in Eric's caravan in Truro, Cornwall.

Eric and his wife Gillian, 63, are currently looking after Edna's flat in Worle, near Weston, whilst their son and new daughter-in-law are house-hunting in the Weston area.

Eric, a Londoner who came to live in Sheldon, Birmingham, 55 years ago, worked at Serck Radiators in Tyseley before spending 20 years as an electrician at the Land Rover plant in Solihull. He revealed that Simon first met Edna two years ago at a concert organised by the West of England Theatre Organ Society.

"Simon was playing the organ at the concert and it appears it was love at first sight," said Eric.

"We wish them all the happiness in the world. None of us know what is around the corner and you have to make the most of whatever chances come along in life," added Mr Martin.