Published: Thursday, 4th March, 2010 7:00am

Ruby's golden wedding celebrations sparkle

by Alex Lawrie

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MUSSELBURGH couple Henry and Ruby Bush celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with more than 100 family and friends on Saturday.

The pair, who live in Newbigging, held their celebrations at Prestongrange Bowling Club, in the presence of their three children, Jacqueline, Evelyn and Kenneth, and four grandchildren.

Henry, a former driving instructor, and Ruby, an ex-shop manager, first met a friend's house in Prestonpans and enjoyed their first date at a dance in the town.

But the couple, both now 72, did not see each other for a further six months due to Henry being enlisted in the 27th Royal Artillery Battalion down south.

The couple kept in touch through a constant stream of letters and telephone calls over the following half-year before meeting for their next date.

After marrying at Our Lady of Loretto Church on February 27, 1960, they moved to Buckhaven in Fife as Henry landed a job as a manager with the Provident insurance company.

But Ruby was a touch homesick for the Honest Toun and they moved back home a couple of years later after Henry became a driving instructor.

Ruby admits she fell in love with her "wonderful man" following their very first date and puts their long marriage down to "lots of patience".

She said: "We had a wonderful time last weekend and it was great to see so many of our friends and family turn up to help us celebrate.

"I remember our first meeting very clearly, and afterwards we both knew we were right for each other. In fact, I decided that night he was the one for me.

"We've had a wonderful marriage and had three lovely children. We've been very lucky.

"It's difficult to say what the secret is for a long lasting marriage, but I would say loads of patience and saying what you think is very important.

"It is also important to love each other and to work as a team for it to work. I couldn't have asked for a better husband, he's a wonderful man."

Henry and Ruby thanked their two daughters who helped with all the catering. The kind-hearted couple are donating some of their cash gifts to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.