A woman who met her future husband during a single parents holiday to Butlin’s in Minehead has opened up about her unexpected love story.
Louise Goodridge, 59, originally went to the holiday resort with her friend. However, after the pair experienced an argument, Louise needed a lift back home and later came across Gary.
Speaking to Zingo Bingo, Louise and Gary look back on their first impressions of each other, what their families thought of their holiday romance, and how they’ve stayed together for over 30 years.
Speaking to Zingo Bingo, Louise and Gary Goodridge said:
What are your names and ages? How did you two meet?
Louise:
I'm Louise Goodridge, I'm 59, and he is Gary Goodridge, and he is 68. We met in 1991 and we were both on a Gingerbread holiday. It’s a group for single parents. They sort of organise social events. So we were members of the same group. I lived in Watford and Gary was from Amersham, so about 10 miles away from each other.
They organised this trip down to Butlins in Minehead in October half-term. So we met there, even though we were part of the same group. I’d originally gone down with a friend and I hadn’t noticed him at first. It’s a really stupid story but I had an argument over a loaf of bread with my friend. She ended up leaving me at Butlins and drove off in her car. I’d given her fuel money and everything.
So I got left alone, with no way of getting back to Watford, which is where I was living. I had to go to the group and say, ‘Do you think anyone could give me a lift back?’ And that’s when Gary volunteered to drive me. He invited me out afterwards for a cup of tea and a piece of cake whilst we were on this trip out. We’ve not been separated since that day.
What was your first impression of Gary when you first met?
Louise:
I can't say I really liked the look of him, but I liked his personality! I’m an honest person. He was funny and we had a lot in common, so we have lots to talk about. This year we will have been together for 34 years and we got married on our first anniversary of meeting. So we met on the 24th of October 1991, and we got married on the 24th of October 1992.
What made you decide to go on this trip? Had you been on something like this before to Butlins?
Louise:
It was cheap, and as a single parent on benefits, there’s no way I could have afforded to go on a big holiday. It was a no brainer really.
When did you realise there was potential for a relationship with Gary?
Louise:
I think it was after the first date. We spent an entire night not doing anything other than talking and then singing through the Simon and Garfunkel catalogue from a music book.
When did you move in together?
Louise:
It was only a few weeks so not very long. I stayed with Gary for a while, and then he went to visit her at my house for a while. Then we moved in together.
What did your family and friends think of Gary?
Louise:
My mum wasn’t a huge fan of Gary. He was 10 years older. I was only 25 then, so I was 25 years old and he was 34. My grandparents also didn’t like him either. My friends were alright about it. Gary’s family were much more tolerant than mine.
Do you regularly go back to Butlins?
Louise:
Honestly, I think we have only been back once. The Sun newspaper was doing £9.50 holidays back in 1991 so you had to collect vouchers. Then you selected from a list of campsites or holidays you could go on. We picked where we met and went back to Butlins in Minehead, but that was a long time ago.
What would have happened if you didn’t take up Gary’s offer or not fallen out with your friend?
Louise:
Well, the thing is, if I hadn't been where I was when they said that she needed a lift, there was this other bloke who volunteered to drive me. If everything had gone swimmingly and me and my friend hadn't had a barney about a loaf of bread, you never know?
I just remember waking up and seeing my friend had left me all alone. So I was in a right old state when I went to the two leaders of the group and said, ‘I really need a lift home.’
Louise, you've spoken about your first impression of Gary, but Gary, what was your first impression of Louise?
Gary:
Well, it was a case of, ‘Oh, she looks alright.’ She looked slightly rattled on the day and I then invited her out for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. And that was it.
Did either of you have to make any sacrifices to make the relationship work?
Louise:
In terms of careers, we were doing separate things, but it did work out fine. Gary is now retired but he used to be a video engineer. He also has an ex-wife. But it all worked out.
