THE former owners of The Granny Shop in Pencaitland have celebrated a golden occasion after enjoying 50 years of marriage.

Robert Fraser, also known as Robin, and his wife Anne ran the shop on the A6093 in the village for 21 years.

Anne worked in the shop for a number of years before it was bought by her husband.

Robert was born in Pencaitland on April 13, 1946.

He went to Pencaitland Primary School and Ross High School, living in the village all his life.

He worked as a mechanic at Ross’s Garage in Haddington, and Tilhill Forestry, before buying the Pencaitland shop.

Anne was born in Gorebridge on January 15, 1948 and attended Greenhall High School.

As well as the shop, she worked at a factory in Mayfield near Dalkeith, making parts for aeroplanes.

The pair met in the Winton Arms, when Anne was there with her friends and Robert entered after a fishing trip with some fish in a basin.

They were married on June 20, 1970, at a registrars’ office on Hunter Square in Edinburgh.

Their reception was held in Musselburgh’s Pittencrieff Hotel, opposite the town’s racecourse.

After marriage they moved to Spilmersford View, then to Huntlaw Road in Pencaitland.

After the birth of their son John in August 1970, they moved to the house Robert was born in, and then went on to Boggs Holdings.

Their daughter Mari was born in August 1976 – “six years, six days and six hours apart” from her brother, Mari joked.

Mari now owns and runs the shop, after it was passed on to her by her dad.

As well as two children, Anne and Robert have two grandchildren, 22-year-old Johnathan and 20-year-old Niamh.

The couple are quite a sociable pair and always had their own interests. Robert was heavily involved in Pencaitland Gala Day and Anne used to be a Venture Scout leader.

Robert used to donate Christmas trees to Pencaitland Primary School, due to his work the forestry industry.

He also dressed up as Santa Claus several times for the school.

Both Robert and Anne are now enjoying their retirement.

They are keen gardeners, with Anne a member of Haddington Gardening Club.

She also helps out in the shop and does the occasional shift.

The family plan to celebrate the occasion with a garden party at the couple’s house at the end of the month and hope to invite their wedding guests.

On the day of their anniversary, the family enjoyed a socially distanced visit at the couple’s house in Boggs Holdings.