A pensioner moved ravers to tears by turning up at a packed nightclub to visit the spot where he met his late wife 61 years ago.
Brian Kendrick, 80, was desperate to see the staircase where he first laid eyes on “gorgeous” wife Barbara as a teenager in 1961.
So he paid his entry fee and ordered a pint at the bar before mingling with other clubbers at the Emporium in Coalville, Leicester.
The young ravers were so touched they posted a message on the nightclub’s Facebook page which went viral.
Brian was invited back this week for the unveiling of a plaque marking the spot where he met Barbara all those years ago.
Did you meet the love of your life somewhere interesting and have you revisited it? Email: features@mirror.co.uk
He said he was determined to visit the club one last time following Barbara’s death two years ago.
“She was the most wonderful person I’ve ever met, and I’m so proud that I was able to call her my wife,” he said.
“It [The Emporium] was known as ‘The Grand’ back then. I’d been in many times before, but I’d never seen anyone like Barbara.
“She was standing on her own and she stood out a mile. She was gorgeous, so angelic. It was like a miracle really.
“I was coming back from the bar and I looked up and saw her standing on the stairs in a long white dress, which had a red rose pinned to it.
“I was out with the boys and I was wearing my leather jacket at the time.
“I said, ‘I have to go and ask her out, otherwise I’ll regret it for the rest of my life’. So that’s what I did.
“I said ‘I wonder if I could have this dance with you?’ She said ‘yes’ and then we introduced ourselves and we stuck together ever since.”
The pair, who lived in Coalville, began dating and married two years later before having two sons.
Recalling his recent visit to the club, Brian said: “I closed my eyes and I could see her as clear as anything. It was wonderful.
“I stood on the top of the steps and so many memories came flooding back as well as plenty of tears.
“The funny thing about Barbara is that she never liked to be the centre of attention – she didn’t like to stand out. However she always did,”
A spokesman for the Emporium said: “I’ve heard of love stories before, but this broke my heart and made my night.”
“He said he wanted to see the love of his life one more time and said when he closed his eyes, he did.”
The plaque, which is located on the wall of the staircase, reads: “In loving memory of Barbara Timson, who met Brian Kendrick, 1961.”
Brian added: “To see her name up there, I’m so proud of it. I did close my eyes and could actually see her standing there, like a vision.”
