Mini-Chat
Len Biddlecombe and his wife Barbara Photo: ITV Anglia
A man wrote a poem for his wife every birthday and anniversary for 50 years.
Len Biddlecombe from Shotley in Suffolk began writing poetry to his wife Barbara in the 1960s. He stopped when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011.
Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011
"The sands of time keeping running out for yet another year but while we love each other there's nothing we need fear."
– Len Biddlecombe
Much of the collection has now been published. The book is aptly named 'A Life of Love.'
"I didn't want it published to be honest because it was personal but they wanted to publish it and I agreed."
– Len Biddlecombe
Len Biddlecombe and his wife Barbara Credit: ITV Anglia
The poems have become even more important since Barbara has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He now reads the poems to remind her of their life together.
"He reads them a lot more now and I think that does help and he reads them to my mum and we read them so it's something that's come back in that maybe we didn't read as much before."
Len Biddlecombe and his wife Barbara Credit: ITV Anglia
"Well over a thousand words I've penned especially for you. I'd gladly write a thousand more if you'd understand a few. When the curtain closes and the call comes from above I pray we'll be together to share another lifetime of true love."
– Len Biddlecombe
