Couple wed 65 years after parents banned them from marrying

A couple who called off their engagement because the bride’s parents did not approve of her groom have finally married 65 years on.

Davy Moakes, 86, and Helen Andre, 82, fell in love while studying at art college and got engaged in 1951.

But Helen’s parents did not want their daughter to marry an artist and called the wedding off two years later.

The pair drifted apart and started their own families - meaning their love story had to be put on hold for over six decades.

But after Helen’s third husband passed away she managed to track her teenage sweetheart down online.

The couple married on Friday and are currently enjoying a two-week honeymoon in Cyprus.

Davy said: “It’s so strong the love between us. Even after all this time, it still feels the same.

“It’s just perfect, it’s just how it was. We’re no spring chickens so we decided if we still had these strong feelings for each other then we best get on and get married.”

Helen added: “I couldn’t be happier, all my dreams have come true.”

“When I was 19 and my mother and father stopped me marrying him I was heartbroken and I never stopped loving him.

“I’ve never found out why my parents didn’t really approve of him, I think there were several reasons but really they wanted to decide who I married – not me.

“They were quite Victorian like that. I have loved him my whole life. “Now I’ve got him. I’m enjoying every minute of it. I feel like a teenager again, it really is like nothing’s changed.”

Davy and Helen were aged 21 and 16 when they met while studying together at Chesterfield Art College, Derbs.

They got engaged but her parents Aaron and Gertrude West disapproved of his career and called a halt to the wedding.

Davy’s father, Edward, arranged for the lovers to meet secretly at a wealthy landowner’s dance in 1956.

But when the Wests caught wind of their plans, Helen was locked in her room.