Published: Thursday, 25th October, 2007 09:00
Couples' delight
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TWO East Lothian couples had cause for celebration at the weekend on reaching landmark wedding anniversaries.
The Watters, of Longnidddry, marked sixty sparkling years of marriage, while the McGimpseys, of Elphinstone clocked a half-century.
Forty family and friends joined John and Mary Watters for a party at the Kings Manor Hotel in Edinburgh on Saturday to mark their diamond wedding.
Mary, 78 told the Courier: “It was a lovely day. Everyone had a great time and we got a lot of presents from guests, mostly money and champagne!”
The couple first met at dance, held in their hometown of Prestonpans, when Mary was in her teens.
Mary said: “I was just 16-years-old and John was 20. It was love at first sight!”
Two years later, on October 17 1947, they were married in the former Prestonpans Manse by Rev Bell.
John was a miner at the now defunct Monktonhall pit in Musselburgh, and latterly he and Mary worked behind the bar at Mrs Foremans public house in Levenhall, Musselburgh before retiring.
They are members of Prestongrange Parish Church in Prestonpans.
Reflecting on their married life together, Mary added: “Sixty years is a long time but it doesn’t feel that long. I think it’s important to always help each other and be caring towards one another.”
John, 82 and Mary have lived in Amisfield Place, Longniddry for the past 20 years and have a daughter Annette, 57 and son Robert, 54, along with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Adam and June McGimpsey, who met as youngsters on the streets of Tranent, put the great success of their marriage down to being “best pals.”
Adam, 72, and June, 69, of Duries Park, Elphinstone, first met as teenagers hanging around Tranent, which is June’s home town.
June told the Courier: “We met in Tranent, just through our groups of friends and spending time on the High Street. I’m not sure I really liked him that much at first but he grew on me!”
The couple married three years later, on October 19 1957, at the registry office in Tranent and went on to have two children, Robert, now aged 49 and Helen, 48. Since then their family has grown to include eight grandchildren.
Adam, like John, was a miner at Monktonhall and June worked for Weber Marking Systems in Macmerry.
The couple are well-known in Elphinstone and Tranent, being regular visitors to the local bowling club.
Eighty family and friends attended their anniversary party at Elphinstone Bowling Club last Friday evening.
June said: “It was great fun. The dj made us a special disc with pictures of the family and special occasions which was projected onto a big screen on the night.”
And after 53 years together, the couple definitely know a thing or two about what makes a good relationship.
“We just get on together. We argue like everybody else but at the end of the day, we’re best pals.”
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Honoured by Her Majesty