A COUPLE who will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year have spoken of their gratitude to the Stroud Historical Society who helped them with a 'needle in a haystack' enquiry.
Phil and Wendy Miller got married on Saturday, March 30, 1974 when they were 18-years-old.
They got married in Clydach, near Swansea, South Wales and intended to tour the Cotswolds by car for their honeymoon.
Their first stop was in Stroud, however Wendy wasn't feeling very well and they decided to head home the next morning.
Phil said: "When we left the hotel in Stroud, I can't believe that the young person I was then, didn't record in some way shape or form exactly where we'd stayed.
"However I didn't, and for nearly 50 years it's bothered me, especially as we moved to Ontario Canada eight years later.
"Some weeks ago I contacted the Stroud Historical Society, and in my email I stated that although this was a "long shot" could they suggest where Bed and Breakfast places might have been located in those days.
"I could tell them it was a large house, but not a mansion, it was on an East/West road on the north side of Stroud and it had a paved driveway on the left leading to a parking area.
"To be honest I wasn't expecting much.
"To our surprise we received a nice letter from Pauline Stevens, who is the secretary of the Stroud Historical Society with some suggestions.
"After a few exchange emails, they sent me a list of all accommodation in Stroud and the surrounding area from that time period.
"After eliminating several places on the outside of Stroud and also Inns and Pubs we looked at an advert for a place (then) called the "Downfield" Private Bed and Breakfast, however it didn't give an address.
"I couldn't believe my luck when I typed the name of the hotel into a search engine and it pulled up a report from the planning department in 1978, when they'd applied for planning permission to make an extension to the house, this also gave me the address of 134 Cainscross Road.
"Imagine my delight when I put the address into Google Street View and there it was, the place we'd spent our wedding night all those years ago!
"It's changed somewhat, but the essentials of the house are still the same.
"I've since spoken with the current owners, and they've very kindly sent me a photo of what is nowadays the Five Valleys Aparthotel.
"We are really grateful to Pauline and her colleagues at the Stroud Historical Society who were able to find this "Needle in a haystack" request!"
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